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- Apr 28, 2005
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Rant time. I hate to even mention the word suit, and i would not take part in it, but i think they have gone too far. Perhaps the mere mention of the word would cause them to rethink what they are doing. There are several threads that all seem in agreement that this exam is a scam. While these may just be people being bitter over the cost and trouble, I think there may be some legitimate arguments. As you all know from those "Intellectual Property" statements you sign before a step, The NBME is nothing more than an entity with a vested interest in increasing its revenue. A "not for profit" does not eliminate the drive for increased revenue( Just look at your local university hospital's advertising campaigns). Anyway, I think the public would be sympathetic, after all, the cost is passed on to them at 6% 10 years from now.
Why i think a case may exist, as you can tell, im no lawyer.
1) Data supporting the exam is absent, a conflict of interest and possibley fradulant behavior in the supporting "research" and payrolled "patient advocates" of the NBME who support the continuation of this exam.
2) An unreasonable an undo burden due to lack of proximity to testing centers for most students and disproportionate cost as compared to other professional exams.
3) It lacks any sort of precedent,(i.e. Step I, II CK and III all exist as an evolution of state board exams,) The vast majority of practicing doctors have not taken anything resembling CS.
4) There is an implicit redundancy ; This exam takes over skills that medical schools must demonstrate an ability to teach and evaluate before they are accredited.
5) Lack of feedback violates the principle of a licensing exam, We do not know how we did. In fact, the examinee has no proof the exam is actually graded, the NBME could be arbitrarily assigning grades. They offer no evidence to the contrary. ( There is of course oversight of the board, but as the recipients of this exam, we do not know. The burden of proof should be on them.)
Just wondering what you all think
Why i think a case may exist, as you can tell, im no lawyer.
1) Data supporting the exam is absent, a conflict of interest and possibley fradulant behavior in the supporting "research" and payrolled "patient advocates" of the NBME who support the continuation of this exam.
2) An unreasonable an undo burden due to lack of proximity to testing centers for most students and disproportionate cost as compared to other professional exams.
3) It lacks any sort of precedent,(i.e. Step I, II CK and III all exist as an evolution of state board exams,) The vast majority of practicing doctors have not taken anything resembling CS.
4) There is an implicit redundancy ; This exam takes over skills that medical schools must demonstrate an ability to teach and evaluate before they are accredited.
5) Lack of feedback violates the principle of a licensing exam, We do not know how we did. In fact, the examinee has no proof the exam is actually graded, the NBME could be arbitrarily assigning grades. They offer no evidence to the contrary. ( There is of course oversight of the board, but as the recipients of this exam, we do not know. The burden of proof should be on them.)
Just wondering what you all think
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