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- Jun 24, 2002
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Ok, after the last sad chapter in the step 2cs saga has been written, I think it is quite clear that the test has to change.
First of all: What is the purpose of the test? To ensure a minimum level of clinical skills and patient-doctor interaction ability. A just cause, in my mind. However, the test is not scored. You do not stand to gain anything from doing well on it, the test is just a hurdle. Since the object is to establish that the minimum pass level has been achieved, there is no reason to have US graduates take it. Saying that medical schools can't establish a minimum pass level is pretty disrespectful.
How about IMGs? As an IMG, I definitely feel that some sort of test of our clinical competence is warranted. Is step 2cs the way to do it? Heck no. That test has NOTHING to do with clinical competence. For instance, it is a complete crapshoot in terms of the quality of SPs. Some are complete dunces, some are excellent and actually bear a faint resemblance of real patients.
You cannot accurately recreate a clinical encounter with a fake patient. Period.
So what to do? How about replacing the CS with a clinical rotation? I would much rather pay $2000-3000 dollars for a two-week mandatory rotation at a hospital somewhere, than plunk down $1200+trip+hotel for a complete lottery.
Thoughts, anyone?
First of all: What is the purpose of the test? To ensure a minimum level of clinical skills and patient-doctor interaction ability. A just cause, in my mind. However, the test is not scored. You do not stand to gain anything from doing well on it, the test is just a hurdle. Since the object is to establish that the minimum pass level has been achieved, there is no reason to have US graduates take it. Saying that medical schools can't establish a minimum pass level is pretty disrespectful.
How about IMGs? As an IMG, I definitely feel that some sort of test of our clinical competence is warranted. Is step 2cs the way to do it? Heck no. That test has NOTHING to do with clinical competence. For instance, it is a complete crapshoot in terms of the quality of SPs. Some are complete dunces, some are excellent and actually bear a faint resemblance of real patients.
You cannot accurately recreate a clinical encounter with a fake patient. Period.
So what to do? How about replacing the CS with a clinical rotation? I would much rather pay $2000-3000 dollars for a two-week mandatory rotation at a hospital somewhere, than plunk down $1200+trip+hotel for a complete lottery.
Thoughts, anyone?
