Clinical CPX is geared to third-year medical students who have completed some of their clinical rotations. The exam focuses on interviewing, history taking, physical examination, and the process necessary to manage patients with new problems, to conduct wellness visits, to direct chronic illness visits, to guide psychosocial visits, and to educate patients about changing problem behaviors. Stations also consist of a paper and pencil part which requires writing out answers to questions regarding the tasks necessary to manage the patient's care and completing a self-assessment checklist. Emphasis is on using the CPX as a structured, evaluative learning experience.
Students rotate through a circuit of five stations.
Each station is 23 minutes long. Instructions for moving to each station are indicated by PA announcements. Instructions for the patient activity are located in patient charts on each exam room door. Students review the chart material and begin the patient encounter. Time with the patient is limited to 15 minutes.