Discrepancy Between the 2007 Korean Medical Licensing Examination and the 2006 Learning Objectives for Medical Students

Purpose: Investigate if otolaryngology residency home programs (HP) are associated with advantages in National Resident Matching Program match compared to applicants without HPs. Methods: Surveys were distributed to fourth-year medical students applying to otolaryngology residency (2015-2016 cycle) via OHNS (2015-2016) Applicants Closed Facebook Page and Otomatch. Applicant data analyzed included HP, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, number of away rotations, and matching at top choice. Results: Applicants were grouped: (1) HP, (2) no HP but have ENT staff (staff), and (3) no HP or staff (none). Ninety-five percent of survey participants matched into otolaryngology (n = 62). A sub-analysis of match preference among matching applicants revealed 63% of participants with HP matched to their first choice compared to 56% (staff) and 14% (none) ( P = .058). Match rate between those with any staff (HP or staff) versus those without was statistically significant ( P = .037). Applicants without HPs went on more away rotations than students with HPs (mean: 2.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.7 ± 0.07, P = .0002). No statistical significance was seen between applicants with/without HP in regards to USMLE scores, publications, or number of interviews. Conclusion: Applicants applying to otolaryngology residency without HPs are as competitive as those who have HPs. However, without HPs, applicants tend to participate in more away rotations and are less likely to match at their top choice.

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Is a medical humanities test needed in the National Medical Licensing Examination of Korea? Opinions of medical students and physician writers (secondary publication)

Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions ◽

10.3352/jeehp.2014.11.16 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. 16 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kun Hwang

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Medical Humanities ◽

Evaluation Method ◽

Likert Scale ◽

School Curriculum ◽

Medical School Curriculum ◽

National Medical ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Licensing Examination

The purpose of this study was to examine the opinions of medical students and physician writers regarding the medical humanities as a subject and its inclusion in the medical school curriculum. Furthermore, we addressed whether an assessment test should be added to the National Medical Licensing Examination of Korea (KMLE). A total of 192 medical students at Inha University and 39 physician writers registered with the Korean Association of Physician Essayists and the Korean Association of Physician Poets participated in this study. They were asked to answer a series of questionnaires. Most medical students (59%) and all physician writers (100%) answered that the medical humanities should be included in the medical school curriculum to train good physicians. They thought that the KMLE did not currently include an assessment of the medical humanities (medical students 69%, physician writers 69%). Most physician writers (87%; Likert scale, 4.38 ± 0.78) felt that an assessment of the medical humanities should be included in the KMLE. Half of the medical students (51%; Likert scale, 2.51 ± 1.17) were against including it in the KMLE, which they would have to pass after several years of study. For the preferred field of assessment, medical ethics was the most commonly endorsed subject (medical students 59%, physician writers 39%). The most frequently preferred evaluation method was via an interview (medical students 45%, physician writers 33%). In terms of the assessment of the medical humanities and the addition of this subject to the KMLE, an interview-based evaluation should be developed.

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Numerical Versus Pass/Fail Scoring on the USMLE: What Do Medical Students and Residents Want and Why?

Journal of Graduate Medical Education ◽

10.4300/jgme-d-10-00121.1 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 59-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Catherine E Lewis ◽

Jonathan R Hiatt ◽

LuAnn Wilkerson ◽

Areti Tillou ◽

Neil H Parker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical Knowledge ◽

Accurate Estimate ◽

Score Distribution ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

The Us ◽

Residency Selection ◽

Licensing Examination ◽

Amount Of Knowledge ◽

Resident Selection

Abstract Background Although the primary purpose of the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is assessment for licensure, USMLE scores often are used for other purposes, more prominently resident selection. The Committee to Evaluate the USMLE Program currently is considering a number of substantial changes, including conversion to pass/fail scoring. Methods A survey was administered to third-year (MS3) and fourth-year (MS4) medical students and residents at a single institution to evaluate opinions regarding pass/fail scoring on the USMLE. Results Response rate was 59% (n = 732 of 1249). Reported score distribution for Step 1 was 30% for <220, 38% for 220–240, and 32% for >240, with no difference between MS3s, MS4s, and residents (P = .89). Score distribution for Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) was similar. Only 26% of respondents agreed that Step 1 should be pass/fail; 38% agreed with pass/fail scoring for Step 2 CK. Numerical scoring on Step 1 was preferred by respondents who: (1) agreed that the examination gave an accurate estimate of knowledge (odds ratio [OR], 4.23; confidence interval [CI], 2.41–7.43; P < .001); (2) scored >240 (OR, 4.0; CI, 1.92–8.33; P < .001); and (3) felt that acquisition of knowledge might decrease if the examination were pass/fail (OR, 10.15; CI, 3.32–31.02; P < .001). For Step 2 CK, numerical scoring was preferred by respondents who: (1) believed they gained a large amount of knowledge preparing for the examination (OR, 2.63; CI, 1.52–4.76; P < .001); (2) scored >240 (OR, 4.76; CI, 2.86–8.33; P < .001); (3) felt that the amount of knowledge acquired might decrease if it were pass/fail (OR, 28.16; CI, 7.31–108.43; P < .001); and (4) believed their Step 2 CK score was important when applying for residency (OR, 2.37; CI, 1.47–3.84; P < .001). Conclusions Students and residents prefer the ongoing use of numerical scoring because they believe that scores are important in residency selection, that residency applicants are advantaged by examination scores, and that scores provide an important impetus to review and solidify medical knowledge.

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Correlations between the scores of computerized adaptive testing, paper and pencil tests, and the Korean Medical Licensing Examination

Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions ◽

10.3352/jeehp.2005.2.1.113 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 113 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mee Young Kim ◽

Yoon Hwan Lee ◽

Sun Huh

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical School ◽

Computerized Adaptive Testing ◽

Adaptive Testing ◽

Preliminary Examination ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Licensing Examination ◽

Paper And Pencil ◽

Ability Estimate

To evaluate the usefulness of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) in medical school, the General Examination for senior medical students was administered as a paper and pencil test (P&P) and using CAT. The General Examination is a graduate examination, which is also a preliminary examination for the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE). The correlations between the results of the CAT and P&P and KMLE were analyzed. The correlation between the CAT and P&P was 0.8013 (p=0.000); that between the CAT and P&P was 0.7861 (p=0.000); and that between the CAT and KMLE was 0.6436 (p=0.000). Six out of 12 students with an ability estimate below 0.52 failed the KMLE. The results showed that CAT could replace P&P in medical school. The ability of CAT to predict whether students would pass the KMLE was 0.5 when the criterion of the theta value was set at -0.52 that was chosen arbitrarily for the prediction of pass or failure.

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Implications of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 Examination Transition to Pass/Fail on Medical Students Education and Future Career Opportunities

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/0003134820973382 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 000313482097338

Author(s):

Haley Ehrlich ◽

Mason Sutherland ◽

Mark McKenney ◽

Adel Elkbuli

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Medical Students ◽

The United States ◽

Residency Programs ◽

Future Career ◽

Career Opportunities ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Usmle Step 1 ◽

Licensing Examination ◽

Usmle Step

Background United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 will transition to pass/fail score by 2022. We aim to investigate US medical students’ perspectives on the potential implications this transition would have on their education and career opportunities. Methods A cross-sectional study investigating US medical students’ perspectives on the implications of transition of the USMLE Step 1 exam to pass/fail. Students were asked their preferences regarding various aspects of the USMLE Step 1 examination, including activities, educational opportunities, expenses regarding preparation for the examination, and future career opportunities. Results 215 medical students responded to the survey, 59.1% were women, 80.9% were allopathic vs. 19.1% osteopathic students. 34.0% preferred the USMLE Step 1 to be graded on a pass/fail score, whereas 53.5% preferred a numeric scale. Osteopathic vs. allopathic students were more likely to report that the pass/fail transition will negatively impact their residency match (aOR = 1.454, 95% CI: 0.515, 4.106) and specialty of choice (aOR = 3.187, 95% CI: 0.980, 10.359). 57.7% of respondents reported that the transition to a pass/fail grading system will change their study habits. Conclusions The transition of the USMLE Step 1 to a pass/fail system has massive implications on medical students and residency programs alike. Though the majority of medical students did not prefer the USMLE Step 1 to have a pass/fail score, they must adapt their strategies to remain competitive for residency applications. Residency programs should create a composite score based off all aspects of medical students’ applications in order to create a holistic and fair evaluation and ranking system.

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Perspectives on Transitioning Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination to a Pass/Fail Scoring Model: Defining New Frameworks for Medical Students Applying for Residency

Advances in Medical Education and Practice ◽

10.2147/amep.s296286 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol Volume 12 ◽

pp. 149-154

Author(s):

John Blamoun ◽

Ahmad Hakemi ◽

Teresa Armstead

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Medical Students ◽

The United States ◽

Scoring Model ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Licensing Examination

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Predicting Osteopathic Medical Students' Performance on the United States Medical Licensing Examination From Results of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination

Cureus ◽

10.7759/cureus.14288 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Travis Smith ◽

Mark Kauffman ◽

J. Bryan Carmody ◽

James Gnarra

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Medical Students ◽

The United States ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Licensing Examination

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Ophthalmology Program Directors' Perspectives on the Impact of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 Change to Pass-Fail Scoring

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1718569 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (02) ◽

pp. e277-e283

Author(s):

David Cui ◽

Ingrid U. Scott ◽

Heidi Luise Wingert

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Medical Education ◽

Medical Students ◽

The United States ◽

Basic Science Knowledge ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Usmle Step 1 ◽

Licensing Examination ◽

Usmle Step ◽

The Impact

Abstract Purpose This article investigates the perspectives of ophthalmology residency program directors (PDs) regarding the impact of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 change from graded to pass-fail scoring on ophthalmology resident selection and medical education. Methods The PDs of all United States ophthalmology residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were identified using a public, online database. An anonymous web-based survey constructed using REDCap was emailed to each PD in February 2020. Results Surveys were completed by 64 (54.2%) PDs, with the majority (81.2%) disagreeing with the change to pass-fail scoring. The majority of PDs believe this change will negatively impact the ability to evaluate residency applicants (92.1%) and achieve a fair and meritocratic match process (76.6%), and will decrease medical students' basic science knowledge (75.0%). The factors identified most frequently by PDs as becoming more important in evaluating residency applicants as a result of the Step 1 scoring change include clerkship grades (90.6%), USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge score (84.4%), and a rotation in the PD's department (79.7%). The majority of PDs believe the Step 1 grading change to pass-fail will benefit applicants from elite medical schools (60.9%), and disadvantage applicants from nonelite allopathic schools (82.8%), international medical graduate applicants (76.6%), and osteopathic applicants (54.7%). Conclusion The majority of ophthalmology PDs disagree with the change in USMLE Step 1 scoring from graded to pass-fail and believe this change will negatively impact the ability to evaluate residency applicants and achieve a fair and meritocratic match process, and will decrease medical students' basic science knowledge.

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