Pass/Fail USMLE Step 1 Scoring—A Radiology Program Director Survey

MacKinnon, Grant E.; Payne, Sydney; Drolet, Brian C.; Motuzas, Cari L.

doi:10.1016/j.acra.2020.08.010

Cited by 26 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The aim of this study was to compare the perceptions among program directors (PDs) in orthopaedics and IM on the change of Step 1 from a graded to a pass/fail exam, and its impact on the residency application process. Some groups have studied PD opinions of the Step 1 pass/fail change; however, to the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first comprehensive survey to directly compare the impact on medicine and a surgical subspecialty [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. We chose to study IM PDs because IM has historically been a popular specialty that has had the most number of total applicants.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of orthopaedic surgery and internal medicine perceptions of USMLE Step 1 pass/fail scoring

et al. 2021

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Background United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 will transition from numeric grading to pass/fail, sometime after January 2022. The aim of this study was to compare how program directors in orthopaedics and internal medicine perceive a pass/fail Step 1 will impact the residency application process. Methods A 27-item survey was distributed through REDCap to 161 U.S. orthopaedic residency program directors and 548 U.S. internal medicine residency program directors. Program director emails were obtained from the American Medical Association’s Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database. Results We received 58 (36.0%) orthopaedic and 125 (22.8%) internal medicine program director responses. The majority of both groups disagree with the change to pass/fail, and felt that the decision was not transparent. Both groups believe that the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge exam and clerkship grades will take on more importance. Compared to internal medicine PDs, orthopaedic PDs were significantly more likely to emphasize research, letters of recommendation from known faculty, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, leadership/extracurricular activities, audition elective rotations, and personal knowledge of the applicant. Both groups believe that allopathic students from less prestigious medical schools, osteopathic students, and international medical graduates will be disadvantaged. Orthopaedic and internal medicine program directors agree that medical schools should adopt a graded pre-clinical curriculum, and that there should be a cap on the number of residency applications a student can submit. Conclusion Orthopaedic and internal medicine program directors disagree with the change of Step 1 to pass/fail. They also believe that this transition will make the match process more difficult, and disadvantage students from less highly-regarded medical schools. Both groups will rely more heavily on the Step 2 clinical knowledge exam score, but orthopaedics will place more importance on research, letters of recommendation, Alpha Omega Alpha membership, leadership/extracurricular activities, personal knowledge of the applicant, and audition electives.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of orthopaedic surgery and internal medicine perceptions of USMLE Step 1 pass/fail scoring

et al. 2021

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“…While this change is technically independent of virtual interviewing, how it will impact ranking remains to be seen, given the mixed reception from program directors. [11] It has been further suggested that additional criteria must be considered, including interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and the overall fit of an applicant at the unique program. [7] These attributes clearly influence the ranking process, yet it is already difficult to evaluate these skills by reading an application and then interviewing in-person, not to mention virtually.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on Radiology Residency Selection Process: A Survey of Radiology Residency Programs in the US

et al. 2022

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Objective Virtual residency interviews have become crucial in maintaining CDC-recommended precautionary measures throughout the ongoing COVID-era. However, scant literature exists regarding the direct impact the pandemic has had on the radiology program selection process, including preferred modalities of residency interviews and social media utilization. This survey aimed to understand how radiology programs adapted to changes in the 2020-21 virtual application cycle. Methods A 32-question survey was distributed to 194 residency programs between July and August of 2021. Data were analyzed primarily by using descriptive statistics and Paired Student's T-testing. Results A total of 31 programs completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 16%. When queried about the perceived success of virtual interviews during the 2020-21 application cycle, 21 programs (68%) said the new interview format was very successful. 27 of the programs (87%) believed they were able to adequately gauge applicants through virtual interviews. However, when surveyed about personal preferences for interviews, the responses were more evenly distributed between virtual (11/31, 35%) and in-person (14/31, 45%). Pre-COVID, the top three criteria programs used to rank candidates were USMLE Step 1 score (20/31, 65%), letters of recommendation (17/31, 55%), and MSPE (12/31, 39%). Within the virtual, COVID-19 era, these criteria remained statistically unchanged (p = 0.22): USMLE Step 1 score (21/31, 68%), letters of recommendation (17/31, 55%), and MSPE (14/31, 45%). About half of programs who had not previously utilized social media (12 of 23, 52%) created accounts, mostly via Twitter or Instagram. Conclusion The primary findings indicate that programs perceived success with virtually interviewing and ranking applicants, the criteria to rank applicants remain unchanged despite the virtual environment, and programs’ social media utilization increased.

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“…In February 2020, it was announced that there would be a movement away from a numerical score on the US Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step I to pass/fail, beginning in 2022. 10 This was promulgated by the overwhelming desire to improve student well-being and that the USMLE examinations (Step I and II) were not developed for evaluation of student academic achievement but rather licensure. 11 There were additional reasons for this change.…”

Section: A J P Ementioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of Pass/Fail Grading Systems in US Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Programs

Spiess

Walcheske

MacKinnon

et al. 2022

American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education

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Objective. To understand how colleges and schools of pharmacy utilize pass/fail grading systems in Doctor of Pharmacy curricula.Methods. An electronic survey with 15 selected response items and six open-ended questions was developed and distributed in 2020 to the 10 academic pharmacy programs known to utilize a pass/fail grading system to gather qualitative and quantitative data. Results. Leaders from eight of the 10 programs identified responded to the survey. Programs varied regarding the types of courses for which they utilize a pass/fail grading system and whether numerical scores are shared with students. A variety of grade designations (honors, pass, no pass, fail, satisfactory, etc.) are used, and the minimum pass level varies by program, ranging from 70% to 90%. For those institutions that utilize post-course remediation, the majority of remediation occurs immediately following the academic term or in the summer. The type of information shared with residency program directors (GPA, class rank, overall percentile, qualitative comments, etc.) varies among pass/fail programs. Conclusion.How pass/fail grading systems are utilized is inconsistent across schools and colleges pharmacy. Programs that utilize a criterion-based grading system might benefit from engaging in future conversations with one another to determine if and how consistency might be realized among terminology, passing level, percentages, grade point averages, and progression. Additional insights on post-graduate training requirements and honorary societies is warranted should pass/fail grading expand as it has in medical education. Further research on this topic may lead to greater understanding and adoption across the pharmacy academy.

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Pass/Fail USMLE Step 1 Scoring—A Radiology Program Director Survey

Cited by 26 publications

References 14 publications

A comparison of orthopaedic surgery and internal medicine perceptions of USMLE Step 1 pass/fail scoring

A comparison of orthopaedic surgery and internal medicine perceptions of USMLE Step 1 pass/fail scoring

Impact of COVID-19 on Radiology Residency Selection Process: A Survey of Radiology Residency Programs in the US

Survey of Pass/Fail Grading Systems in US Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Programs

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