- Joined
- May 26, 2019
- Messages
- 50
- Reaction score
- 42
Dear DO Medical Students and Residents:
In light of USMLE’s announcement (1/26/21) that MD medical students would no longer need to take “Step 2 CS”, the USMLE national clinical skills exam, we have heard from many DO medical students that they would like us to discontinue the COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation (Level 2-PE) clinical skills exam for DO medical students. We hear you. We had heard from both the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP), two osteopathic medical student organizations, about student concerns particularly related to the pandemic and safety as well as costs and concerns about secondary uses (residency applications) of exam scores.
Our public statement describing our position and short term and longer-term initiatives in regards to national standardized clinical skills testing for licensure and Level 2-PE can be found here. The Level 2-PE measures the ability to demonstrate core and fundamental competencies and values for DOs, including communication skills and connection, empathy, hands-on physical diagnosis/OMM and OMT. These are qualities state licensure boards value in seeking to protect their patients. We understand that NBOME’s position is an unpopular one amongst DO medical students. However, entrusted with a role in professional self-regulation, at this time we remain committed to both the importance of this examination for DO licensure and its impact on teaching, learning and patient care, and the feasibility of delivering this examination safely as planned. We will continue to provide you with updates in this regard, as well as continue to reach out to DO medical students and student organizations for additional feedback, as we always have.
The NBOME remains dedicated to the valid assessment of osteopathic competencies, promotion for the excellence of the osteopathic credentials of our students and physicians, and the protection of the public whom we all have the privilege to serve. The pandemic has certainly caused many temporary disruptions in how we do things, but it does not change who we are as a caring, professional osteopathic community and what we value as osteopathic physicians for our patients.
Sincerely,
John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd
on behalf of NBOME, its Board of Directors, National Faculty and Staff
In light of USMLE’s announcement (1/26/21) that MD medical students would no longer need to take “Step 2 CS”, the USMLE national clinical skills exam, we have heard from many DO medical students that they would like us to discontinue the COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation (Level 2-PE) clinical skills exam for DO medical students. We hear you. We had heard from both the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP), two osteopathic medical student organizations, about student concerns particularly related to the pandemic and safety as well as costs and concerns about secondary uses (residency applications) of exam scores.
Our public statement describing our position and short term and longer-term initiatives in regards to national standardized clinical skills testing for licensure and Level 2-PE can be found here. The Level 2-PE measures the ability to demonstrate core and fundamental competencies and values for DOs, including communication skills and connection, empathy, hands-on physical diagnosis/OMM and OMT. These are qualities state licensure boards value in seeking to protect their patients. We understand that NBOME’s position is an unpopular one amongst DO medical students. However, entrusted with a role in professional self-regulation, at this time we remain committed to both the importance of this examination for DO licensure and its impact on teaching, learning and patient care, and the feasibility of delivering this examination safely as planned. We will continue to provide you with updates in this regard, as well as continue to reach out to DO medical students and student organizations for additional feedback, as we always have.
The NBOME remains dedicated to the valid assessment of osteopathic competencies, promotion for the excellence of the osteopathic credentials of our students and physicians, and the protection of the public whom we all have the privilege to serve. The pandemic has certainly caused many temporary disruptions in how we do things, but it does not change who we are as a caring, professional osteopathic community and what we value as osteopathic physicians for our patients.
Sincerely,
John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd
on behalf of NBOME, its Board of Directors, National Faculty and Staff
