The Comprehensive Review of the USMLE

Background:

 

The USMLE examination program was designed in the late 1980s and introduced during the period 1992 to 1994. The program replaced the NBME Part Examination program and the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) program, which were the widely accepted medical licensing examination programs at that time. While the content and design for the USMLE Step examinations have been continuously reviewed and refreshed, there had been no in-depth review of overall program design and structure since the sequence was first conceived. In 2004, the USMLE Composite Committee called for a comprehensive review of the entire USMLE program to determine if the mission and purpose of USMLE were effectively and efficiently supported by the current design, structure, and format of the USMLE.

The primary responsibility for this review was given to the Committee to Evaluate the USMLE Program (CEUP), reflecting perspectives of students, residents, fellows, Deans and Associate Deans, basic science and clinical faculty, international medical graduates, state medical boards, practicing physicians, and the public.

To inform CEUP, staff members used surveys and focus groups to gather information about the impact and relevance of the USMLE program from a wide range of individuals and organizations, including representatives from the medical licensing authorities, the US undergraduate and graduate education communities, and institutional and national leaders from the international medical education community

Source: http://www.usmleworldwide.com/blog/?p=73