Predictors of Performance on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Knowledge: A Systematic Literature Review.

In February 2020, the governing bodies of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) announced the decision to change Step 1 score reporting from a three-digit system to pass/fail designation. Previous studies theorized that Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) will become the numerical standard by which residency directors can quickly sort through program applicants. The goal of this study is to review prior research and identify significant factors associated with Step 2 CK outcomes. A systematic literature search on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ERIC that included articles published between 2005 and 2015 was conducted using the keywords "USMLE," "Step 2 CK," "score," "success," and "predictors." After screening the initial search yield of 3,239 articles, 52 articles were included for this review. Positively correlated factors included Step 1 score, clinical block grades, Comprehensive Clinical Science Self-Assessment (CCSSA), Comprehensive Clinical Science Examination (CCSE), and volunteerism. Factors such as clerkship sequence and pass/fail grading failed to correlate with Step 2 CK. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score (p < 0.01) and undergraduate grade point average (GPA) (p = 0.01) positively correlated, while age displayed a negative correlation. Additionally, females typically scored higher on Step 2 CK than their male peers. The study findings suggest that continuous learning and academic success throughout medical school positively influence eventual Step 2 CK scoring. Performance on USMLE practice examinations, Step 1, and clinical evaluations serve as positive predictors for Step 2 CK scores. Interestingly, changing answers and spending more time on each question during the examination were associated with higher scores.

Field Test Results of Sex- and Gender-Specific Health Multimedia Case-Based Learning Modules.

Background: The sex- and gender-specific health (SGSH) multimedia case-based learning modules (MCBLMs) were developed to address the absence of validated or peer-reviewed material that incorporates topics of sex and gender differences into medical curricula. This article provides the methodology for development of the modules and reports the results of a field test of the modules in different medical educational settings. Methods: MCBLMs were created by a multidisciplinary committee of scientists, health profession educators, and students. Two modules, osteoporosis and diabetes, were tested in various settings based on the curricular needs at each of the five accredited institutions. Each module consisted of a pretest and three interactive, multimedia stand-alone sections with post-tests. Scores on the tests were compared using a paired-samples t-test. A postmodule survey was used to evaluate the format. Results: Four hundred eighteen students participated in the field testing. For the 194 who completed the osteoporosis module, the post-test scores (M = 13.71, standard deviation [SD] = 2.09) were significantly higher than the pretest scores (M = 10.54, SD = 2.41), p < 0.001. Post-test scores for the 285 who completed the diabetes module (M = 16.55, SD = 2.46) were also significantly higher than the pretest scores (M = 13.71, SD = 2.09), p < 0.001. The postmodule survey showed positive acceptance of the format with an average score of 3.54/4 for osteoporosis and 3.45/4 for diabetes. Conclusion: The SGSH MCBLM field testing results show that the modules have a positive effect on content knowledge in multiple settings and are well accepted by learners.

Implementing a Web-based content management system.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia transformed its web site to enhance patient satisfaction and attract new patients, as well as meet the needs of clinicians and the hospital's business plans. They accomplished this by implementing a content management system that would allow content creation and updating to be delegated to appropriate department staffers, thereby eliminating bottlenecks and unnecessary steps and ensuring that the web site receives fresh content much more quickly.