HOW US MEDICAL SCHOOLS USE THE NATIONAL BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS’ PATHOLOGY EXAMINATION     

Elizabeth Fletcher, ¹ Agata Butler ^*2, the National Board of Medical Examiners, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A                              

Purpose

To determine how Pathology Course Directors’ (PCDs) currently use  the National Board of Medical Examiners’ (NBME)  Pathology Subject Examination and their opinion of the match of the examinations’ content to their schools’ curriculum. Thirty-seven percent of LCME-accredited US medical schools administer the examination.

Methods

In 2006, PCDs at all 125 US schools were surveyed.

Results

 Eighty-nine surveys were returned. Seventy-nine percent of those administering the examination responded. The test is used by 73% of PCDs for end-of-year assessment, 57% for course assessment and 57% as practice for USMLE. A minimum passing score is required by 43%. When determining final course grades, 73% assign a weight of 11-30% to the examination. Scores are used to determine Honors by 35%. Ninety-six percent who reviewed the examination indicate it matches their curriculum well. Based on a review of the NBME content outline, 93% of respondents believe it matches their curriculum well, and 97% are satisfied with the examinations’ ability to evaluate students’ knowledge. Fifty-nine percent noted that their students’ scores on the Pathology Subject Examination are predictive of their USMLE Step 1 score.

Conclusion

 A majority of respondents use the examination for end-of-year- assessment, course assessment and USMLE practice. Based on review of the examination or content outline, PCDs believe the examination matches their school’s curriculum well and that it reflects their students’ knowledge well. These results provide PCDs with important comparative information about how the examination is used by US medical schools. Additionally, PCDs’ feedback is valuable to NBME examination developers.