Issue Two - February 14, 2002
ECFMG Certification Program Experienced Increased Volume in 2001
Numbers for 2001 indicate increased volume for ECFMG's program of Certification. ECFMG certified 5,934 physicians in 2001, an increase of more than 15% over the previous year. The number of exam applications received from applicants for ECFMG certification also increased. During 2001, ECFMG processed 28,794 registrations for USMLE™ Step 1 and Step 2. This number represents an increase of 8% over year 2000 registrations. Additionally, the number of CSA® sessions administered in 2001 was up by 18% compared to the number administered in 2000.
Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research - FAIMERSM
As part of its ongoing commitment to promote excellence in international medical education, ECFMG established the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) in September 2000. As a non-profit foundation of ECFMG, FAIMER provides an infrastructure and resources, human and financial, to support programs, projects, and research that enrich international medical education by linking medical education and the healthcare needs of populations. The mission unifying the Foundation's activities, health education related to the health of the population being served, measured by health care outcomes, reflects this integration.
The Foundation administers a number of programs for the international medical community that were formerly administered by ECFMG. These programs include the:
- International Fellowships in Medical Education (IFME),
- Short-term Exchange Fellowships (STEF)
- Institutional Grant Program, and the
- Consultation Program.
The Foundation also supports the International Consortium for the Advancement of Medical Education - ICAMESM, which offers the Institute annually. For detailed information on FAIMER and its programs, refer to the ECFMG 2001 Annual Report, expected in mid-April 2002. Currently, both IFME and the Institute are accepting applications.
International Fellowships in Medical Education
The International Fellowships in Medical Education program allows faculty from schools of medicine abroad to gain access to educational opportunities in the United States that are tailored toward specific home country needs. Fellows study aspects of medical education that have the potential to improve and expand medical education programs in their home country institutions. Programs range in length from six months to a maximum stay of one year.
Currently, FAIMER is accepting applications for the 2002-2003 IFME program year. Detailed information and application materials are available at www.faimer.org.
The Institute
The Institute of the International Consortium for the Advancement of Medical Education is a fellowship program designed for international medical school faculty who have the potential to play a key role in improving medical education at their schools. This intense, yearlong program consists of two residential sessions in the United States, and an intersession curriculum innovation project at the participant's home institution. The program is uniquely designed to teach education methods and leadership skills, as well as to develop strong professional bonds with other medical educators around the world.
Currently, FAIMER is accepting applications for Institute 2002. Eligibility requirements include nomination by the applicant's home institution and a commitment of home institution support for the activities of successful applicants. Detailed information and application materials for Institute 2002 are available at www.faimer.org.