Curiculum Committee Minutes - November 24, 1998

Present

Rooks, Burchfield, Cheong, Davidson, Koroly, Moseley, Small, Socarras, Berns, Bottom, Butson, Rarey, Romrell, Stevens, Watson

Absent

Euliano, Ledbetter, Lowenthal, Meyer, Normann, Posner, Zavelson, Madani, Hall, Lucas, The, Duerson, Genuardi, Grinenko, Harman, Harris, Hill, Hurt, McElroy, Rathe, Schmidt, Suter, Wright

Announcements

Dr. Rarey reported that the LCME is on target and the subcommittees are now working on phase two with a deadline of Jan 8 date for submission of the self-study material.

Dr. Watson mentioned that the managed care education money is in and in the last stages of spending. He indicated that he would keep the Curriculum Committee updated on the various components of managed care.

Dr. Romrell presented the following:

Update on Plans of NBME for Computer-Based Testing and USMLE

Dates for implementation of CBT

• Step 1 begins April/May 1999 as computer based exam
• Last step 1 paper/pencil was October 1998
• Step 2 begins July/August 1999 (exact date not set for either)
• Last step 2 paper/pencil will be March 1999
• Step 3 begins October/November 1999

Computer BasedTesting enters

• Sylvan (Steps 1,2,3)
• Only 6 were selected by submission of competitive proposal to NBME
• UF selected as one of 6
• Sue Legg and Winnie Cooke from Instructional Resources are key participants (Broward Hall)
• Site visit today by team from NBME

Application Procedures for Students

• Applications received 11/9/98
• Students return applications to NBME- priority on response from NBME on a "first come: first serve" basis. (Major concern as to when students can be tested)
• Our applications were processed and returned on 11/10/98 (a race for most schools)
• First "scheduling permits" to be mailed by NBME in mid-December (no specific date set)
• Permit needed to call and schedule exam date thru Sylvan (or the 6 pilot medical school Test Centers - major advantage for UF students in having a center on our campus

Applicaton for Packet - content

• Bulletin from NBME explaining process
• General instruction book
• Application instructions
• Formal application including application for accomodations under ADA
• CD-ROM "USMLE 1999 information on computer-based Step 1 and Step 2
  • Allof the above on CD-ROM
  • Sample exams (150 questions) with answers in the same format as the actual exams

Application process

• Formal application
  • Select 3 mo. Eligibility period
  • Obtain school verification
  • Submit request for test accommodation with application
  • Attach check and mail to NBME
• Receive "scheduling permit" and schedule date for testing (new)
  • Maximumof 6 months in advance
• Upon receipt of permit, contact Sylvan or Medical School Test Center Office

  Scheduling a date to take CBT

• Upon receipt of permit, contact Sylvan or Medical School Test Center Office
• Appointments on a "first come: first serve" basis
• Nationally, the capacity at Sylvan Test Centers "should" permit testing during June
• UF Test Center will offer test dates for UF students ONLY
• Exam offered 8 June to 26, 1998 (entire class can be tested in 8 days)
• NBME will monitor capacity

Concerns

• Will there be adequate caacity at the Sylvan Center to meet needs for timely testing? Being carefully monitored by NBME.
  • 6 prototype medoca; school centers selected
  • No more medoca; school centers until last half of 1999
  • Schools build at their own risk
• Trouble "shooting" for individual schools
  • Need for additional capacity at Sylvan

Taking the CBT

• Practice CD-ROM is "authentic"
• Practice opportunities at Sylvan (at a cost to be determined)
• Actual test bring ID and "scheduling permit"
• No personal items in test area
• Breaks ONLY at scheduled times
• Two sessions with three one-hour exams (50 questions each) in each session
• Bring own lunch for 30 minute break

Getting Scores

• First report of scores 3 months after first scheduled CBT
• After this initial report of scores, then reported at approximately two week intervals
• NO SCORE adjustments for when the CBT is taken (students who take it early are treated the same as those who take it later)
• Secure internet application under development

  Reporting Scores to Medical Schools

• Secure internet application under development
  • Ability to check registration and scheduling status
  • Use for verification of eligibility
  • Access database of scores
• NBME will use periodic paper reports until system is ready

Other Issues

• Student can reschedule up to one week prior to the exam with no penalty and then must schedule retake within the origin three month request period
• If there is a "last minute" illness, student can reschedule within a three month period (as space is available) but will pay a fee (each retake cost $280)
• Repeat if fail up to three times a year - Can schedule retake of exam 60 days after date of original exam
• Accommodations - "Permit to Schedule" will not be issued until review is complete

Issues for UFCOM CC

• No longer needs to be preparation time for Step 2
• For USMLE Step 2 CBT, we can set the "primary time"
• Potential problem for Advanced Pharmacology is "finding a lecture room"
  • (a word is missing here ) advantage since 1st year students are on their preceptorship
• Geriatrics to be linked with Avanced Pharmacology (there is also a request for some lectures on Radiology during this time)
• 4th year PBE does not have to be linked to this course

Note for LJR: ACLS was to be offered as an elective during advanced pharmacology

Scheduling of Advanced Pharamacology

• Dec (last week of Nov/Dec)
• Rooms can be available
• 2 holidays during this roatation
• Moving from early in 4th year creates more opportunity for electives during the crucial early part of the 4th year
• February
  • January is interview month for most students
  • Does interrupt advanced clerkships
• April or May
  • The year"has ended" in minds of most students
  • Least disruptive in scheduling requried advanced clerkships

When to we schedule Advanced Pharmacology?

• July?
  
• Dec (last week of Nov/Dec)?
  
• February?
  
• April or May?
  

Dr. Davidson raised the issue/question: What is purpose of Advanced Pharmacology and why is there an advanced need in the 4th year?

Dr. Romrell answered by saying there's a chance for clinicians to teach pharmmacology from their perspective. Dr. Burchfield said it gave them (students) an opportunity to study for boards.

It was suggested by Dr. Rooks and Romrell that they get more information about this decision before a recommendation can be rendered. Thus, the decision was postponed until the next Curriculum Committee meeting of December 8.

Meeting adjourned.