2002 Highlights

On-line Services

Recognizing the benefits of web-based information and services for a large, geographically-diverse clientele, ECFMG has invested significant resources in developing on-line services for international medical students and graduates and others in the international medical community. These efforts have resulted in outstanding electronic resources and a greatly enhanced level of service for ECFMG's clients. Applicants for certification can now use the Internet to apply for exams and other services, access personal and certification-related information in their ECFMG records, and communicate with ECFMG via e-mail. Nearly all ECFMG publications and forms are available via the Web. ECFMG's e-newsletters provide timely, important information to a variety of audiences.

The Interactive Web Application (IWA), ECFMG's on-line exam application, was introduced for USMLE and CSA in October 2001 and April 2002, respectively. IWA is available to applicants twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and eliminates the need to obtain paper application materials. In 2002, IWA became the preferred method of exam application; more than 50 percent of exam applications received were submitted on-line. Most of the remaining applications were paper forms downloaded from the ECFMG website. As a result, traditional printed forms represented less than 10 percent of all exam applications at the end of 2002. IWA's on-line instructions and validation have also had a significant impact on the number of applicant errors. For exam applications processed in 2002, the number of applicant errors encountered in on-line applications was 50 percent less than the number encountered in paper applications. Reducing these errors, which can delay or prevent registration, represents a significant improvement for applicants in the registration process. On-line applicants also benefit from a ten-day processing time for on-line applications.

Response to ECFMG's On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS) in 2002 has been overwhelmingly positive. Introduced in July 2001, OASIS allows users web-based access to personal and certification-related information in their ECFMG records. In 2002, OASIS was enhanced to allow users to make certain on-line transactions, such as updates to contact information and payments to their ECFMG financial accounts. By the end of 2002, more than 30,000 ECFMG applicants and ECFMG certified physicians had registered for an on-line services password, a requirement to use OASIS. Refer to On-line Resources for more information on IWA and OASIS.

Use of e-mail has greatly enhanced ECFMG's ability to communicate effectively with applicants. In 2001, e-mail messages from applicants were restricted to a limited range of time-sensitive inquiries. In October 2002, ECFMG began to accept applicant inquiries on all topics via e-mail. By the end of the year, ECFMG was responding to an average of eighty messages per day. Dedicated resources and thorough review procedures allow ECFMG to provide quality, personalized responses within two business days, while continuing to receive telephone inquiries during business hours. ECFMG continues to use its e-mail newsletters to communicate important information in a convenient format. Membership for all e-newsletters increased substantially in 2002. By the end of the year, more than 17,000 individuals were receiving regular issues of The ECFMG Reporter, ECFMG's newsletter for applicants.

These developments represent significant advances in service for ECFMG's applicants and other clients. ECFMG looks forward to expanding its on-line offerings in 2003.

On-line Initiatives

1998
CSA Candidate Scheduling becomes available.

1999
E-mail newsletter for overseas educational advisers, ECFMG News, is established.

2000
Certification-related forms become available via ECFMG website.

E-mail newsletter for IMGs using ERAS®, ECFMG ERAS News, is established.

Downloadable USMLE and CSA applications become available via ECFMG website.

E-mail newsletter for ECFMG Certification applicants, The ECFMG Reporter, is established.

2001
ECFMG begins accepting limited applicant e-mail.

E-mail newsletter for ECFMG certified Physicians, The ECFMG Correspondent, is established.

On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS) allows users web-based access to personal and certification-related information.

Interactive Web Application (IWA) for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 becomes available.

2002
The International Medical Education Directory (IMED) becomes available via the ECFMG website.

Interactive Web Application (IWA) for CSA becomes available.

ECFMG begins accepting all applicant inquiries via e-mail.