EndStep2CS
06-16-2005, 02:33 PM
Join me in trying to end the Step 2 CS exam!
These are my reasons:
First of all, the exam involves taking a simulated physical exam on 'simulated' physical findings. Patients attempt to simulate 'real' physical findings, but obviously the attempts of an actor off the streets at doing this is very poor. The value of a real finding on a real physical exam is missed.
Secondly, the exam does not evaluate the student's skills at performing a physical exam adequately, because no physicians observe the students. As we know, the glass windows at the Step II exam are for 'quality control' only. It would be reasonable if a physician would observe the students, but to allow paid actors to 'grade' students based on their physical exam skills and history taking abilities is...well, there are few words to describe how poor this is as an attempt to evaluate students.
Thirdly, the test only uses 'patients' who are adults. There are no children, there are no pregnant woman, there are no patients with psycho-social issues etc etc.
Finally, most medical schools in the US have a better method of testing students on the physical exam, and this is done on *real* patients.
Further, consider the cost -- more than $900 simply to register, and then add on transportation, hotel costs etc and the cost is possibly as much as $1200! All for an exam that the majority of medical students agree is completely flawed!
If you believe that the Step 2CS should be discontinued, join me in writing to medical journals (NEJM, JAMA) and voicing your thoughts. If many of us deluge the journals, the change we seek just may come. (The author admits that this is no a great strategy: Those with better ideas please contact me below!)
Email EndStep2CS@yahoo.com if you would like to help! Rock the boat a bit!!
These are my reasons:
First of all, the exam involves taking a simulated physical exam on 'simulated' physical findings. Patients attempt to simulate 'real' physical findings, but obviously the attempts of an actor off the streets at doing this is very poor. The value of a real finding on a real physical exam is missed.
Secondly, the exam does not evaluate the student's skills at performing a physical exam adequately, because no physicians observe the students. As we know, the glass windows at the Step II exam are for 'quality control' only. It would be reasonable if a physician would observe the students, but to allow paid actors to 'grade' students based on their physical exam skills and history taking abilities is...well, there are few words to describe how poor this is as an attempt to evaluate students.
Thirdly, the test only uses 'patients' who are adults. There are no children, there are no pregnant woman, there are no patients with psycho-social issues etc etc.
Finally, most medical schools in the US have a better method of testing students on the physical exam, and this is done on *real* patients.
Further, consider the cost -- more than $900 simply to register, and then add on transportation, hotel costs etc and the cost is possibly as much as $1200! All for an exam that the majority of medical students agree is completely flawed!
If you believe that the Step 2CS should be discontinued, join me in writing to medical journals (NEJM, JAMA) and voicing your thoughts. If many of us deluge the journals, the change we seek just may come. (The author admits that this is no a great strategy: Those with better ideas please contact me below!)
Email EndStep2CS@yahoo.com if you would like to help! Rock the boat a bit!!