An examination of the relationship between clinical skills examination performance and performance on USMLE Step 2.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between performance on a large-scale clinical skills examination (CSE) and a high-stakes multiple-choice examination.


METHODS
Two samples were used: (1) 6,372 first-taker international medical graduates (IMGs); and (2) 858 fourth-year U.S. medical students. Ninety-seven percent of IMGs and 70% of U.S. students had completed Step 2. Correlations were calculated, scatter plots produced, and regression lines estimated.


RESULTS
Correlations between CSE and Step 2 ranged from .16 to .38. The observed relationship between scores confirms that CSE score information is not redundant with MCQ score information. This result was consistent across samples.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that the CSE assesses proficiencies distinct from those assessed by current USMLE components and therefore provides evidence justifying its inclusion in the medical licensure process.
Muller
Eric S
ES
NBME, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. emuller@nbme.org
Harik
Polina
P
Margolis
Melissa
M
Clauser
Brian
B
McKinley
Danette
D
Boulet
John R
JR
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008007:Licensure, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States