GME BULLETIN BOARD GME orientation will conduct two orientation sessions in 2012, and all incoming residents and fellows who have never completed a residency or fellowship at the University of Minnesota will be required to attend one of the sessions. The sessions will be held on: Monday, June 18 and Monday, July 2, 2012 *NEW* ACGME Next Accreditation SystemThe ACGME has recently announced the transition to a Next Accreditation System (NAS) with an NAS pilot starting July 1, 2013 (programs in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatrics, Radiology and Urology, with full implementation planned for July 2014. While details of operationalization are pending, this new model will shift the focus of review to outcomes, both educational and clinical, with significant emphasis placed on clinical learning environments. Three major areas are targeted for change: 1) Program accreditation, 2) Implementation of primary participating hospital site visits (aka CLEAR) and 3) some changes to institutional accreditation. Please see this GMEC handout outlining the major changes and current details. The AAMC also developed a slide set that presents a general overview. The ACMGE has developed a new website with information on the NAS: http://www.acgme-nas.org/index.html Watch for further details.
Accreditation Data System (ADS) and Case Log System – Downtime NoticeIn preparation for integrating our data collection systems and moving to the next accreditation system, ADS and the Case Log System will be unavailable in mid-June for approximately one week, tentatively scheduled for June 9-15. We will provide updates as details are finalized. If your program or institution is preparing for a site visit, please be aware of the downtime and complete all necessary documentation prior to mid-June. When ADS and the Case Log System become available after the downtime, the data systems will reflect the 2012-2013 academic year, and every resident will have an unconfirmed status (similar to previous academic year rollovers). Specialties that utilize the Case Log System: You will not be able to submit the data for your graduating residents until our systems become available in mid-June. You will have several weeks before the ACGME deadline to review and submit the data for your graduating residents, and we will notify all affected specialties when these data can be submitted. During the downtime, it will not be possible to log into the Case Log System to enter data or generate reports. Therefore, any data that needs to be entered or reports generated (especially for graduating residents), must be completed before the downtime. Please encourage graduating residents to keep their case log data up-to-date now. Please e-mail WebADS@acgme.org with questions or concerns. Changes Announced to Structure of USMLE Step 3The USMLE Composite Committee in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards recently approved plans to change the structure of USMLE. Step 3 will be the first examination impacted with changes to occur in 2014.
The plans call for the division of Step 3 into two separate exams, each one day in length, focusing on different sets of competencies. The proposed examinations will continue to be administered by computer using multiple choice questions and computer simulations. The two examinations will be scored separately and examinees will be expected to pass each one.
For more information, please read the full announcement on the Announcements page of the USMLE website (www.usmle.org). Specific information about these changes will be provided well in advance of implementation. As new information becomes available it will be posted to the USMLE website.
Special Direct Consolidation Loan--Effective January 17, 2012 until June 30, 2012 A new, temporary, Special Direct Consolidation Loan will be available beginning on January 17, 2012 until June 30, 2012. Borrowers will be eligible for this Special Direct Consolidation Loan with a reduced interest rate, if they have at least one commercially-held FFEL loan after 2008 in grace, deferment, or repayment, as well as one Direct loan or ED-held FFEL loan. The interest rate for the commercially-held FFEL loans will be calculated by using a weighted average less a 0.25 percentage point reduction and borrowers will be eligible for another 0.25 percentage point reduction if the loan payment is set up for automatic payment. Borrowers will be contacted by e-mail and U.S. mail by the Department if they are eligible. To take advantage of the Special Direct Consolidation Loan program and the interest rate reductions, eligible borrowers must act by June 30, 2012. For more information on the Special Direct Consolidation Loan, view the Department of Education’s Website at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/specialconsolidation.jsp.
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