Academic Medicine Open Forum

The USMLE announcement from April 27, 2020 "USMLE exploring alternative test delivery options" states that finding safe solutions for testing "has been our main focus and highest priority". However, the timeline for coming up with alternatives is unacceptable. Their commitment to complete their 'analysis' by June 30 needs to be accelerated. Students' testing dates are being cancelled leaving them in limbo and very stressed about when they will be able to take these exams and how they are going to plan their studying and schedules. Medical schools are also left in limbo as we work on potential schedules for students and an eventual reintegration into the clinical environment. More transparency and a faster timeline is needed. Building capacity for students to complete their exams whether at Prometric testing centers, at other sites including medical schools, or using alternative proctoring methods (as is being done for shelf exams) will be critical to best serve the needs of our students.

------------------------------
Mark Rosenberg
Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs
University of Minnesota Medical School
------------------------------

I agree completely with Mark.  Our medical school building is empty, and we can provide remote testing for USMLE examinations almost immediately, and do so with appropriate proctoring and social distancing.

Allan Tunkel

------------------------------
Allan Tunkel
Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education
Warren Alpert Medical School
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2020 08:10
From: Mark Rosenberg
Subject: USMLE

The USMLE announcement from April 27, 2020 "USMLE exploring alternative test delivery options" states that finding safe solutions for testing "has been our main focus and highest priority". However, the timeline for coming up with alternatives is unacceptable. Their commitment to complete their 'analysis' by June 30 needs to be accelerated. Students' testing dates are being cancelled leaving them in limbo and very stressed about when they will be able to take these exams and how they are going to plan their studying and schedules. Medical schools are also left in limbo as we work on potential schedules for students and an eventual reintegration into the clinical environment. More transparency and a faster timeline is needed. Building capacity for students to complete their exams whether at Prometric testing centers, at other sites including medical schools, or using alternative proctoring methods (as is being done for shelf exams) will be critical to best serve the needs of our students.

------------------------------
Mark Rosenberg
Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs
University of Minnesota Medical School
------------------------------