Utility of Board Examination Question

[Atossa89]

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I am just wondering if anyone has found any research on the correlation of scores on board examinations and actual clinical competency. As physicians we basically won't do anything without the most thorough investigation of that particular item (diagnostic test, drug, procedure, etc). But when it comes to our education I cannot seem to find any evidence that the USMLE/COMLEX makes us better physicians. I think we all assume that the better the score, the better the physician one will be, but without data, we cannot be sure.

 

[ChiDO]

Boards test for minimal competency required to have the knowledge to be a doctor. The NBME has stated that scoring a 200 vs 250 doesn't mean anything in regards to clinical medicine. This is why the NBME is changing Step 1 and Step 2, because the ##'s don't mean anything of significance to real life and patient care.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

I am just wondering if anyone has found any research on the correlation of scores on board examinations and actual clinical competency. As physicians we basically won't do anything without the most thorough investigation of that particular item (diagnostic test, drug, procedure, etc). But when it comes to our education I cannot seem to find any evidence that the USMLE/COMLEX makes us better physicians. I think we all assume that the better the score, the better the physician one will be, but without data, we cannot be sure.

I usually think "the better the score, the better the person is at multiple choice exams" or "the better the person is at memorizing and regurgitating useless facts" or "the better step prep program (i.e. # of $s) attended"

I fall into the latter category. Kaplan is awesome.