Table 4.
The respondents’ level of agreement with whether changing Step 1 to Pass/Fail will have the following impacts.
| Metrics | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A positive impact on incoming residents’ overall clinical knowledge and competency. | 8 (3.1%) | 7 (2.7%) | 78 (30.4%) | 105 (40.9%) | 59 (23.0%) |
| A negative impact on incoming residents’ overall basic science knowledge. | 52 (20.2%) | 76 (29.6%) | 84 (32.7%) | 29 (11.3%) | 16 (6.2%) |
| Lead to most programs using USMLE Step 2 CK scores as substitute. | 79 (30.7%) | 136 (52.9%) | 35 (13.6%) | 7 (2.7%) | 0 (0%) |
| Benefit students from top-ranked schools at the expense of those from lower-ranked schools. | 74 (28.8%) | 108 (42.0%) | 48 (18.7%) | 20 (7.8%) | 6 (2.3%) |
| Benefit students that are underrepresented in medicine. | 20 (7.8%) | 64 (24.9%) | 77 (30.0%) | 61 (23.7%) | 34 (13.2%) |
| Put international medical graduates at a disadvantage for matching. | 49 (19.1%) | 83 (32.3%) | 71 (27.6%) | 47 (18.3%) | 6 (2.3%) |
| Put DO medical students at a disadvantage for matching. | 49 (19.1%) | 69 (26.8%) | 86 (33.5%) | 46 (17.9%) | 6 (2.3%) |
| Increase medical students’ anxiety/uncertainty regarding the number of interview invites. | 54 (21.0%) | 98 (38.1%) | 66 (25.7%) | 34 (13.2%) | 4 (1.6%) |
| Increase medical students’ anxiety/uncertainty regarding obtaining interview invites at top programs. | 61 (23.7%) | 102 (39.7%) | 68 (26.5%) | 21 (8.2%) | 4 (1.6%) |
| Improve mental health and wellness among medical students. | 18 (7.0%) | 49 (19.1%) | 90 (35.0%) | 66 (25.7%) | 34 (13.2%) |
CK: Clinical knowledge; DO: Doctor of osteopathic medicine