Elimination of Step 2 Clinical Skills?

[Lannister]

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Sorry if there is already a thread about this, I didn't see one.

http://college.usatoday.com/2016/03...nts-call-for-elimination-of-unnecessary-exam/

My friend just sent me this article. I don't really know enough about Step 2 to have an opinion. So I was wondering what more knowledgeable SDN people think about eliminating the Clinical Skills portion of Step 2?

 

[mimelim]

For your average US MD or DO applicant Step 2 CS is simply a nuisance. The pass rate is absurdly high for the US based applicants. It's function is completely redundant and it is hard to imagine it's elimination changing or harming anyone. It cost me ~$1600 to take between registration, travel and lodging and would be happy to see it go.

There is something wrong if you speak basic English and you don't pass it.

 

[Lannister]

For your average US MD or DO applicant Step 2 CS is simply a nuisance. The pass rate is absurdly high for the US based applicants. It's function is completely redundant and it is hard to imagine it's elimination changing or harming anyone. It cost me ~$1600 to take between registration, travel and lodging and would be happy to see it go.

There is something wrong if you speak basic English and you don't pass it.

So do you think it's likely that it will actually be eliminated?

 

[lmn]

So do you think it's likely that it will actually be eliminated?

Haha they have no reason to, they make a ton of money doing it and med students can't just going. They just use it as an excuse to add more crap to it to try to make it harder to pass and attempt to justify the stupidity.

"Images in Step 2 Clinical Skills examination
Posted: March 22, 2016

Beginning May 22, 2016, USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills examinees may see a case in which the standardized patient provides a digital image (for example, a photograph, x-ray, MRI, or CT) on a tablet computer. Examinees will be able to enlarge the image. During the pre-session orientation, examinees will have an opportunity to view a sample image on a tablet, and to practice enlarging the image.

Not all examinations will include a case with an image. Examinees will see a maximum of one case with an image per examination."
http://www.usmle.org/announcements/?ContentId=170

 

[mimelim]

So do you think it's likely that it will actually be eliminated?

No. It isn't exactly news to anyone in medicine. There have been calls for it's elimination for years. Everyone bitches about it until they get into residency and then they move on with their lives. They make a ton of money off of it, so it would take a lot of push back for something to actually change.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

I'm really hoping this happens. However I doubt it will happen before I have to take it. P/F grade only with something like a 96%+ pass rate among first time US test takers? Seems rather pointless.

 

[Lannister]

I'm really hoping this happens. However I doubt it will happen before I have to take it. P/F grade only with something like a 96%+ pass rate among first time US test takers? Seems rather pointless.

Dumb question, is just Clinical Skills p/f, or is Clinical Knowledge also p/f?

 

[tantacles]

Dumb question, is just Clinical Skills p/f, or is Clinical Knowledge also p/f?

CK is a number score.

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Dumb question, is just Clinical Skills p/f, or is Clinical Knowledge also p/f?

CK is scored and has a similar range to Step 1

 

[mcloaf]

Having just paid $1200 to register for this **** (and it will end up costing more because I have to travel hundreds of miles to one of the few cities where it's offered) knowing full well that it is meaningless and a waste of my time I hope they eliminate it in time for me to get a refund.

 

[xffan624]

Having just paid $1200 to register for this **** (and it will end up costing more because I have to travel hundreds of miles to one of the few cities where it's offered) knowing full well that it is meaningless and a waste of my time I hope they eliminate it in time for me to get a refund.

Me as well. Thankfully, I live not too far from one of the host cities so I will just have an early morning commute instead of long distance travel.

 

[Psai]

Haha they have no reason to, they make a ton of money doing it and med students can't just going. They just use it as an excuse to add more crap to it to try to make it harder to pass and attempt to justify the stupidity.

"Images in Step 2 Clinical Skills examination
Posted: March 22, 2016

Beginning May 22, 2016, USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills examinees may see a case in which the standardized patient provides a digital image (for example, a photograph, x-ray, MRI, or CT) on a tablet computer. Examinees will be able to enlarge the image. During the pre-session orientation, examinees will have an opportunity to view a sample image on a tablet, and to practice enlarging the image.

Not all examinations will include a case with an image. Examinees will see a maximum of one case with an image per examination."
http://www.usmle.org/announcements/?ContentId=170

Such a dumb and useless test. My school spent so much time teaching us how to pass the test. Who actually does tactile fremitus in real life?

 

[Moko]

So do you think it's likely that it will actually be eliminated?

There's a new online petition trying to get CS eliminated, but I wouldn't bet on it happening in the near future.

A faculty member on here has mentioned that Step II CS does have some utility in the sense that those who fail it are more likely to have difficulties during residency. But this test is incredibly cost-inefficient given its absurdly high pass rate and high testing costs. With enough preparation, it's also easily gamed -- a friend failed it the first time around, and got 'high performance' in every category on his second attempt after a few weeks of practice. CS is just silly and a waste of time.

Performance during clinical rotations could easily be used as a surrogate to identify people who may struggle. Too bad there is so much vested interest in keeping the status quo.

 

[Moko]

Who actually does tactile fremitus in real life?

I do, though usually just for kicks.

 

[Mad Jack]

Such a dumb and useless test. My school spent so much time teaching us how to pass the test. Who actually does tactile fremitus in real life?

Tactile fremitus is actually a pretty quick way to tell if a ventilator patient needs to be suctioned in less than five seconds that you can do without even needing a stethoscope.

But outpatient? Never.

 

[Cyberdyne 101]

Having just paid $1200 to register for this **** (and it will end up costing more because I have to travel hundreds of miles to one of the few cities where it's offered) knowing full well that it is meaningless and a waste of my time I hope they eliminate it in time for me to get a refund.

Wait, it's not offered at your school, or where you are currently rotating?!?!

 

[terra330]

Wait, it's not offered at your school, or where you are currently rotating?!?!

It's only offered in 5 cities nationwide.

 

[mcloaf]

Wait, it's not offered at your school, or where you are currently rotating?!?!

I'm actually fairly fortunate because testing location is at least within reasonable driving distance...i.e. <5 hrs.

 

[Psai]

I'm actually fairly fortunate because testing location is at least within reasonable driving distance...i.e. <5 hrs.

I had to take out a 3 days out of my schedule, fly to another city, pay for a night at a hotel, find the testing site and fly back. Such a waste of time

God help you if you can't get a decent time or day of the week.

 

[lmn]

I had to take out a 3 days out of my schedule, fly to another city, pay for a night at a hotel, find the testing site and fly back. Such a waste of time

God help you if you can't get a decent time or day of the week.

Thank goodness they are offering us this great service, definitely can't trust that 2+ years of clinical experiences have taught you to wash your hands when you enter a room and ask open ended questions, I mean it's not like all of the schools are LCME accredited or anything >.>