CSA and USMLE Step 2: A good idea gone bad?

So, seems like the Clinical Skills Assessment or CSA is coming to a theatre near you (if you live near one of the 5 testing ceters) in order for the standardized test gods to determine if you have what it takes to be at least a decent clinician. While in theory this sounds like a great idea (we all know people who are residents or 4th year med students who we’d prefer be figuratively put to pasture), I think it will generate a lot more cost, and really is not going to change much. Some people are just not clinically and humanistically “built” to be clinicians, but I don’t think any exam is proven to predict who those people will be. There is an interesting commentary this week at the New England Journal of Medicine website which poses the question.

Bottom line: Is it really worth it? It’s going to cost each student $950 just to register for the test, and add in several hundred dollars for flight time, hotels, and meals, and you have to wonder if it’s worth that to see if someone isn’t “cut out” for this line of work. (oh, and don’t forget the additional time spent to study, and buy study books!)

I think the better solution would be for the medical schools to really work much harder at what they do, and for residencies also to be stricter and tougher on the “select” few who really are not up to the job.

-Fool

Post Author: fool

4 thoughts on “CSA and USMLE Step 2: A good idea gone bad?

  • Uzer

    (Sunday May 16,2004 - 3:35 pm)

    So what do we do with those who are not “cut out”?

  • WTH

    (Monday May 17,2004 - 2:54 pm)

    In the end, its just about 12 Million Dollars per year (120 med schools x 100 students per year x $1000 per student).

  • MD2B

    (Saturday May 22,2004 - 12:44 pm)

    As an IMG (by choice) who knew I had to take this test from day 1 of med school, I say Hallelujah! It’s about time US students were evaluated and not just assumed to be better than us. And quit yer bitchin’–we have to $1200 for the test.

  • LanaK

    (Wednesday June 16,2004 - 3:45 pm)

    RE: CSA and USMLE Step 2;
    just paid 1k to register and feel like “sharing” the pain. The
    NBME will be collecting info for the next several years in order to evaluate whether this exam is needed. As far as i am concerned, i am a subject in the study, so, do not make me pay!

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