Publishing medical schools’ USMLE Step 1 scores: increase preclinical education accountability and national standards

摘要

Medical education innovation is a field of active investigation.1,2 Whether it is problem-based learning, lectures, discussion groups, systems-based blocks, integrated courses, video-captured, pass-fail, or iPad-requiring, every medical school approaches preclinical education differently. Which combination of these methods is most effective? To answer this, I propose that medical schools ought to be required to publish their average United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 scores annually. In doing so, the most effective education methods will emerge.