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Studying for the OCS

3/20/2015

9 Comments

 
Picture
While studying for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialty (OCS) examination, I received several emails regarding preparation for the exam. Since there is so much content to be learned and only a little organized test prep material, there lies a gray area regarding the most important concepts. Personally, the majority of my studying included the APTA's Current Concepts, the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Secrets Textbook, and reviewing Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). Each piece of information provided different value which is why I recommend studying from several different sources. 

The Current Concepts is a series sponsored by the APTA which include a joint-by-joint breakdown of the anatomy, arthrokinematics, pathology, treatment, and sample questions at the end of each section. They are written by an expert on the subject matter and highlight many key components of the exam. A downside of the Current Concepts is that the material is usually written only by a single author so the material included can be limited to what that author views as pertinent. Additionally, the information in the Current Concepts may be outdated compared to the newest literature, which is why reviewing the JOSPT's in the last couple years may prove beneficial, especially regarding any landmark studies. Finally the information contained within these pages is typically pathoanatomically based and treatment follows the same model. 

The Ortho Secrets book was a great quick reference as well. Several times I found myself reading through Current Concepts and wanting deeper knowledge of a specific pathology. The Secrets book gave me the extra knowledge in a concise format without any 'fluff' material. The book consists of questions and answers regarding commonly misconceived PT questions.  

Finally, studying the CPGs was essential. The purpose of the OCS exam is to assess your knowledge of clinical practice based on the best available evidence. The Clinical Practice Guidelines are a large part of the examination because the information is the highest available evidence peer reviewed by experts. However, the CPGs are only updated every 5 years and may be outdated as well, but for the purpose of the exam, they are the gold standard. 

In conclusion, studying for the OCS can be challenging. There is limited availability to practice exams and much physical therapy literature is varied making it difficult to comprehend what is 'best' to know. I also utilized an online lecture series for review, so any class specific for OCS preparation may prove useful. Additionally, much of the content follows a pathoanatomical model and does not incorporate much of the various schools of thought such as MDT and movement impairment syndromes. Studying for the OCS was valuable because I gained extensive knowledge regarding the anatomy and arthrokinematics, but the information I learned regarding assessment and treatment was quite varied from true clinical practice.  

I hope these tips help,


Jim  

9 Comments

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Insider Access
    • About Insider Access
  • Online Courses
    • Hooper's Knee
    • Physical Therapist Entrepreneur Course
    • Physical Therapist Consultant Course
    • Orthopedic Management of the Cervical Spine
    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
        • Active Sit-Up Test
        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Extensor Endurance Test
        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
        • Lumbar Quadrant Test
        • POSH Test
        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test