COMLEX & USMLE Percentage

So, you took the COMLEX or USMLE and got some wacky three-digit score along with a two-digit score. Here's how to convert your score into an actual percentage. The statistical concept to use here is the cumulative distribution function (CDF) for a normal distribution (assuming a normal distribution). It's worth noting that the two-digit score is not a percentile score on both the COMLEX and USMLE.

The score report form will give you your three-digit score (x), a mean (mu), and standard deviation (sigma). The easy way to get your percentile is to find an online calculator and determine your "probability", meaning the probability that a score would be below yours.

This can be done using Wolfram Alpha
Example Formula: normal distribution percentile, mean=500, sd=100, x=500
Change these values at the top of the page for your test score (x) and standard deviation (sd)
Wolfram Alpha - CDF Calculator
Percentile = left-tailed p-value

Here is an example:
COMLEX three-digit score 697, mean of 500, standard deviation 121. The probability is 0.94824807, meaning there is a 95% chance that any score would be below 697. So, 697 is approximately 95th percentile.

Some other calculator options:
CDF Calculator - Star Trek Site
CDF Calculator - Daniel Soper Site

The last option would be using a Z-table...but why do the extra work?

Match Day

YouTube - Hitler Medical Match Day

2010 Physician Compensation

I think it's also worthwhile to browse through this information:
Fighting Darwin - Myth: Doctors Make Lots Of Money
You really have to factor in the immense loans and years of education instead of just looking blindly at salary.

The information below from:
Medscape - 2011 Physician Compensation Report

I was not surprised to see primary care physicians and Ob/Gyns are the least satisfied with their careers. I was a little surprised to see Anesthesiologists were the least likely to choose medicine again as a career. Physicians who would are most likely to want another specialty are: Primary Care, Emergency Med, Pulmonology, Ob/Gyn, and Nephrology. Many of those, aside from Emergency Med, felt they were not well compensated. Interestingly, Orthopedic Surgeons have the highest compensation but nearly the lowest satisfaction with their compensation.

Discussing A DNR

A great article on discussing a DNR with patients.

von Guten - Discussing Do-Not-Resuscitate Status

Here are the main points:

1) Establish an appropriate setting for the discussion. Ensure comfort and privacy.
2) Ask the patient and family what they understand about their current health situation.
3) Find out what they expect will happen and how they want things to be if they are ill.
4) Discuss a DNR order, including context. Specifically use the word “die.”
Say: “If you should die despite all of our efforts, do you want us to use heroic measures to bring you back?”
OR “How do you want things to be when you die?”
Do Not Say: “Well, if your heart and lungs were to stop, would you want us to use shocks to start your heart and put you on a breathing machine?”
5) Respond to emotions sympathetically, which can be silently offering tissues.
6) Establish and implement the plan depending on your judgment and institution policies.