Division of Otolaryngology, George Washington University Hospital, University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2022 May;131(5):506-511. doi: 10.1177/00034894211028436. Epub 2021 Jul 1.
Recently, the decision was made to transition the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score from a three-digit numerical score to a pass/fail system. Historically, Step 1 scores have been important for otolaryngology resident applicant selection. The purpose of this study was to understand and evaluate otolaryngology residency program directors' (OPDs) opinions on the impact following the change in Step 1 score reporting.
A 22-question survey administered through Qualtrics was sent to 113 academic otolaryngology residency program directors in April 2020. Information about demographics, impressions on the new Step 1 score format, anticipated changes in applicant selection, impact on mental health, and importance of various other factors in selecting applicants were queried. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze survey results.
A total of 41 out of 113 (36.3%) OPDs completed this survey. A majority of surveyed OPDs (80.5%) do not support the decision to change Step 1 to a pass/fail system. In the absence of a three digit numeric USMLE Step 1 score, OPDs indicated prioritization of away rotations, letters of recommendation (LORs), personal prior knowledge of the applicant, grades in required clerkship, and class ranking or quartile. 53.7% of OPDs anticipate requiring USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge for interview consideration following this change.
OPDs believe a pass/fail Step 1 score will decrease the importance of this exam and that this change will lead to the implementation and evaluation of additional metrics such as a required Step 2 CK score.
最近，美国医师执照考试（USMLE）第 1 步成绩从三位数数字评分改为通过/失败系统。从历史上看，第 1 步成绩对于耳鼻喉科住院医师申请人的选择很重要。本研究的目的是了解和评估耳鼻喉科住院医师项目主任（OPD）对第 1 步成绩报告变更后的影响的看法。
2020 年 4 月，通过 Qualtrics 向 113 名学术耳鼻喉科住院医师项目主任发送了一份包含 22 个问题的调查。调查询问了有关人口统计学、对新第 1 步成绩格式的印象、申请人选择的预期变化、对心理健康的影响以及选择申请人的其他各种因素的重要性。使用描述性统计分析来分析调查结果。
共有 113 名 OPD 中的 41 名（36.3%）完成了这项调查。大多数接受调查的 OPD（80.5%）不支持将第 1 步改为通过/失败系统的决定。在没有 USMLE 第 1 步的三位数数字成绩的情况下，OPD 表示将优先考虑轮转实习、推荐信（LOR）、个人对申请人的了解、必修实习课程的成绩以及班级排名或四分位数。53.7%的 OPD 预计在这一变化后，将要求 USMLE 第 2 步临床知识以获得面试考虑。
OPD 认为第 1 步的通过/失败成绩将降低该考试的重要性，这一变化将导致实施和评估其他额外指标，如必需的第 2 步 CK 成绩。
