The Future of USMLE.

[Prince090]

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Changes to USMLE,post 2016.

http://medical-student-resources.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-future-of-usmle.html

 

[Frazier]

Additional step = additional revenue.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

A new exam on communication skills and professionalism?

What. A. Joke.

Except it's a nightmare because people will actually be required to take it.

 

[AlmostAnMD]

Uggghhhhh

I'm going to have to take steps 3 and 4 instead of just step 3 now. If only I had started one year earlier I could just take the regular step 3 in the future....damn

 

[BurghStudent]

This change could be postponed, just like the supposed revamping of the MCAT was discussed for years before being set to 2015

 

[mvenus929]

That website doesn't make me feel confident, so I did some research:

http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/Changes_to_USMLE_2014-2015_handout_FINAL.pdf

Basically, if you register for Step 3 after July 31, then you can take it on two non-consecutive days (it is already two days), but it will still be scored as one exam. And if you take the exam after November 1,2014, you're going to have to wait until April to get your score. It does not sound like they're going to make you pay for two separate exams, though the price of Step 3 may very well go up.

That really incentivizes me to take it really, really early in intern year. Which is probably for the best anyway, since I'm not going to be treating adults anymore.

 

[DrHitchcraft]

So the class of 2018 will potentially be the first class to take the entire new set of USMLEs?

 

[KnuxNole]

Glad to be done with that ****.

 

[Prince090]

That website doesn't make me feel confident, so I did some research:

http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/Changes_to_USMLE_2014-2015_handout_FINAL.pdf

Basically, if you register for Step 3 after July 31, then you can take it on two non-consecutive days (it is already two days), but it will still be scored as one exam. And if you take the exam after November 1,2014, you're going to have to wait until April to get your score. It does not sound like they're going to make you pay for two separate exams, though the price of Step 3 may very well go up.

That really incentivizes me to take it really, really early in intern year. Which is probably for the best anyway, since I'm not going to be treating adults anymore.

The blog states changes after the year 2016.

 

[mvenus929]

The blog states changes after the year 2016.

And many of the changes that are stated in the blog are being implements next year, and I have not found any official USMLE announcement stating any further changes, hence me not going by the blog.

 

[Guillemot]

Additional step = additional revenue.

 

[Raryn]

They've already implemented the Step 3A/3B part. It just means your two exam days aren't necessarily consecutive. For example, I'm registered for a Sat-Wed exam in February. Didn't cost me any more than taking it back to back.

They're considering making it two separate scores later on, but that's in the future. Not yet.

 

[KnuxNole]

They've already implemented the Step 3A/3B part. It just means your two exam days aren't necessarily consecutive. For example, I'm registered for a Sat-Wed exam in February. Didn't cost me any more than taking it back to back.

They're considering making it two separate scores later on, but that's in the future. Not yet.

I managed to luck out getting a Saturday/Monday test. Relaxing on Sunday helped to recharge for day 2 🙂

 

[darklabel]

They've already implemented the Step 3A/3B part. It just means your two exam days aren't necessarily consecutive. For example, I'm registered for a Sat-Wed exam in February. Didn't cost me any more than taking it back to back.

They're considering making it two separate scores later on, but that's in the future. Not yet.

So C/O 2018 isn't getting an additional Step exam? Just a separation of Step 3?

 

[link2swim06]

So C/O 2018 isn't getting an additional Step exam? Just a separation of Step 3?

Not exactly. The table is indicating they aren't really the current step 3 split in half.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

That website doesn't make me feel confident, so I did some research:

http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/Changes_to_USMLE_2014-2015_handout_FINAL.pdf

Basically, if you register for Step 3 after July 31, then you can take it on two non-consecutive days (it is already two days), but it will still be scored as one exam. And if you take the exam after November 1,2014, you're going to have to wait until April to get your score. It does not sound like they're going to make you pay for two separate exams, though the price of Step 3 may very well go up.

That really incentivizes me to take it really, really early in intern year. Which is probably for the best anyway, since I'm not going to be treating adults anymore.

These aren't the same changes the OP is referring to. IMHO These changes are mostly awesome. The non-consecutive days thing is huge - it's such a PITA for a resident to schedule step III currently, especially if they are clinically active. And don't even get me started on the joke of the whole registering under a current licensing authority policy.

 

[thundercats]

Could you explain what that means? Genuinely curious.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Could you explain what that means? Genuinely curious.

Explain which part?

 

[thundercats]

Registering under a current licensing authority

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

Registering under a current licensing authority

At present, when you register for Step 3, you have to register under a specific licensing authority (i.e. state).

The requirements for registering are incredibly, ridiculously variable from state to state, and have little to no regulatory oversight. I registered under the authority of Delaware to take the test, despite never having lived nor attended school nor practiced medicine there, because their specific requirements were minimal. It would have cost me more money, and taken more time, to register under the specific state where I actually live and practice.

 

[libraryismyhome]

so if I am matriculating this year 2014, I am required to take STEP 3A but not the new STEP 1 and 2. Correct?

 

[Taels]

More steps... Looks like the future is going to be a marathon.

 

[organdonor]

Proposed name change; for greater accuracy, in the future the "step" moniker will be replaced by the term "hoop." Concurrently you will no longer be "sitting" for them instead you will "jump through" them. Step 2 CS will be differentiated from CK by being known as the "flaming hoop."

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

so if I am matriculating this year 2014, I am required to take STEP 3A but not the new STEP 1 and 2. Correct?

All of these are tentative, proposed changes. Nothing has been definitively established yet, much less a real timeframe. So in all likelihood you will take the Steps as they are now.

 

[Prince090]

For the people who were questioning its legitimacy. The info was taken from a well-recognized medical journal.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

For the people who were questioning its legitimacy. The info was taken from a well-recognized medical journal.

Wasn't questioning the source of the information (and can, in fact, recognize the formatting of a JAMA table even though the blog author didn't feel like properly citing sources...). Was questioning whether "proposed" changes that won't come up for discussion until at least 2016 will ever turn in to "actual" changes.

 

[Porfirio]

EBM - what a joke
Delivering "Bad News" - the irony
Step 3 being made into 2 exams - money grab

Yep, all these changes will make doctors better in the future.

 

[JP2740]

edit

 

[JP2740]

Proposed name change; for greater accuracy, in the future the "step" moniker will be replaced by the term "hoop." Concurrently you will no longer be "sitting" for them instead you will "jump through" them. Step 2 CS will be differentiated from CK by being known as the "flaming hoop."

lmfao.

 

[redsquareblack]

EBM - what a joke
Delivering "Bad News" - the irony
Step 3 being made into 2 exams - money grab

Yep, all these changes will make doctors better in the future.

Dude, I agree that the USMLE is a complete joke. But EBM? A joke? What you know bout that?

 

[Porfirio]

Dude, I agree that the USMLE is a complete joke. But EBM? A joke? What you know bout that?

EBM itself is not a joke, but putting it on a standardized exam is a joke.

 

[Prince090]

Update :- http://goo.gl/XNsji5

 

[Prince090]

. Was questioning whether "proposed" changes that won't come up for discussion until at least 2016 will ever turn in to "actual" changes.

Hmm... Time will tell.

 

[chronicidal]

USMLE just released a new content description for Step 1 that reduces the percentage of questions on "normal processes" (to 10-15%) and increases the amount on "abnormal processes." http://bit.ly/1nSfK5K

 

[DermViser]

USMLE just released a new content description for Step 1 that reduces the percentage of questions on "normal processes" (to 10-15%) and increases the amount on "abnormal processes." http://bit.ly/1nSfK5K

That's bc testing on abnormal processes is a 2 for 1 bc it inherently tests you on whether you understand normal processes.

That being said, "In 2014 and 2015, examinees will see an increased focus on quality improvement principles and safety science," whatever that means. Good luck finding a Rapid Review/BRS/High Yield review book on that ****.

Edit: Wrong. See here: http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/Changes_to_USMLE_2014-2015_handout_FINAL.pdf

 

[DermViser]

Additional step = additional revenue.

It's not an additional step. It's Step 3 on non consecutive days vs. consecutive days. Hardly an "additional" step.

 

[Frazier]

It's not an additional step. It's Step 3 on non consecutive days vs. consecutive days. Hardly an "additional" step.

Nah, I'd put my money on the odds that "Step 3A + Step 3B" will end up being more expensive than the currently offered "Step 3".

They wouldn't do this unless there was more revenue to be pocketed by someone. That's how it works more often than not.

 

[Brain Bucket]

That's bc testing on abnormal processes is a 2 for 1 bc it inherently tests you on whether you understand normal processes.

That being said, "In 2014 and 2015, examinees will see an increased focus on quality improvement principles and safety science," whatever that means. Good luck finding a Rapid Review/BRS/High Yield on that ****.

I saw that awhile back. Pissed me off to no end.

 

[DermViser]

Nah, I'd put my money on the odds that "Step 3A + Step 3B" will end up being more expensive than the currently offered "Step 3".

They wouldn't do this unless there was more revenue to be pocketed by someone. That's how it works more often than not.

The price already goes up year to year. And you would be wrong as you can see the changes here: http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/Changes_to_USMLE_2014-2015_handout_FINAL.pdf

It's pretty much a difference in what additional questions test.

 

[DermViser]

I saw that awhile back. Pissed me off to no end.

Yeah, my reaction to that was:

 

[Frazier]

The price already goes up year to year. And you would be wrong as you can see the changes here: Wrong. See here: http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/Changes_to_USMLE_2014-2015_handout_FINAL.pdf

It's pretty much a difference in what additional questions test.

That's all well and good. It looks like you missed the original play on words (i.e. steps to complete the "step"), but no worries.

My original post from...uh, 6 months ago still stands valid...

additional step [or "Step"s] = additional revenue

EDIT: also, the point that "well, the price already goes up every year" is not useful. So what? It goes up when nothing changes already...well, guess what happens when they actually "improve"/update things? (Hint: the increase isn't going to be smaller)

 

[DermViser]

That's all well and good. It looks like you missed the original play on words (i.e. steps to complete the "steps"), but no worries.

My original post from...uh, 6 months ago still stands valid...

additional steps [or "Step"s] = additional revenue

You pay one fee for USMLE Step 3, and instead of scheduling it in a block of 2 consecutive days, you can schedule it on 2 non-consecutive days. I hardly think it's going to blast up hugely in price bc of this. It's still a single score, with a single p/f outcome. It's still 1 Step.

 

[Frazier]

You pay one fee for USMLE Step 3, and instead of scheduling it in a block of 2 consecutive days, you can schedule it on 2 non-consecutive days. I hardly think it's going to blast up hugely in price bc of this. It's still a single score, with a single p/f outcome. It's still 1 Step.

Doesn't matter what you think. Doesn't matter what I think.

They will do as they please.

Bookmark this thread and let me know how it turned out in 2016 as proposed by the original article.

 

[DermViser]

I saw that awhile back. Pissed me off to no end.

Right, so it's still:

• anatomy
• behavioral sciences
• biochemistry
• biostatistics and epidemiology
• microbiology
• pathology
• pharmacology
• physiology

Interdisciplinary areas:

• genetics
• aging
• immunology
• nutrition
• molecular and cell biology

and now

• quality improvement principles
• safety science

http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/step-1/2014content_step1.pdf

 

[DermViser]

Doesn't matter what you think. Doesn't matter what I think.

They will do as they please.

Bookmark this thread and let me know how it turned out in 2016 as proposed by the original article.

Yes, I looked at the original article here: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1787417

The Step 3 changes mentioned are being implemented THIS YEAR: http://www.usmle.org/pdfs/Changes_to_USMLE_2014-2015_handout_FINAL.pdf

The 2016 changes are for USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 (read the b footnote).

 

[Frazier]

...
The Step 3 changes mentioned are being implemented THIS YEAR
....

All the better.

 

[DermViser]

All the better.

My point which you obviously missed is that it has not brought in "additional" revenue with the change this year as that price is through the state boards.

 

[Frazier]

My point which you obviously missed is that it has not brought in "additional" revenue with the change this year as that price is through the state boards.

My point from 6 months ago that you obviously missed is that if extra steps (or Steps) are implemented, money is to be made. By someone. Somewhere.

Whether that aligns with your tangent of changes this year, new questions, or whatever, doesn't matter to my point...From a half a year ago...

I stated a simple truth. There really isn't much to disagree with unless you are so bored you try to make it mean more than it does.

 

[DermViser]

My point from 6 months ago that you obviously missed is that if extra steps (or Steps) are implemented, money is to be made. By someone. Somewhere.

Whether that aligns with your tangent of changes this year, new questions, or whatever, doesn't matter to my point...From a half a year ago...

Except it isn't an extra Step that is being implemented. You were, and still are, wrong whether it was 6 months ago or not.

 

[Frazier]

Except it isn't an extra Step that is being implemented. You were, and still are, wrong whether it was 6 months ago or not.

I can't tell if you are oblivious or trolling me.

I stated a blanket statement. There is nothing to be wrong about. I did not say "my dear chaps, do you know what this table means? It indicates that step 4/X is scheduled for 2016."

It didn't go that deep.

Simple truth:

Additional steps = additional revenue.

If you believe that additional steps don't make more money for these entities, well... alright.

Stop trying to extrapolate my point to other topics. You come off as argumentative...or bored.