Issue Six - February 13, 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.
New AAMC Service for Applicants Seeking Residency Positions
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has introduced FindAResident™, a new, web-based service that helps residency applicants and programs with unfilled positions find each other. How does FindAResident help residency applicants? First, FindAResident allows applicants to create and post a resume for review by programs with open positions. Second, applicants can search the FindAResident database of programs that have listed open positions by specialty and/or geographic location. Programs can directly update vacancy information at any time, so the unfilled position information is accurate and current. Third, applicants can send electronic notifications of interest to programs with open positions, so selected programs can easily access an applicant's resume from the program's mailbox. Programs may also notify applicants of interest at any time.
FindAResident complements both the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP); it does not replace these services. FindAResident offers additional benefits to applicants participating in ERAS. ERAS participants can import information from their ERAS applications to form the first draft of the FindAResident resume. ERAS participants also receive a discount on the FindAResident subscription fee.
Subscriptions begin on the date of purchase and conclude at the end of the FindAResident year (August 15). For more information or to subscribe, visit FindAResident on the Web at www.aamc.org/findaresident.
Update: Interactive Web Application (IWA)
In October 2001, ECFMG introduced the Interactive Web Application (IWA), providing applicants the ability to apply on-line for Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination™ (USMLE). To date, ECFMG has received nearly 2,000 on-line applications for Step 1 and Step 2.
ECFMG is committed to processing on-line applications within 10 calendar days of receipt of both the on-line part and Certification Statement. ECFMG has maintained this schedule consistently since IWA was introduced.
On-line applicants complete most application items, including payment, via the Internet. At the conclusion of the on-line application process, a paper Certification Statement is generated that must be completed by both the applicant and the certifying official and submitted to ECFMG to complete the application process. IWA features include on-line instructions, the ability to save a partially-completed application and validation that prevents many common errors.
Applying on-line is easy and convenient. IWA is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can access IWA from the ECFMG website at www.ecfmg.org.
Update: On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS)
Introduced in July 2001, ECFMG's On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS) has been used by more than 12,000 individuals to access applicant-specific information. Available to both ECFMG applicants and ECFMG-certified physicians, this web-based information service allows users to check the status of their USMLE/CSA applications, score reports, USMLE scheduling permits, TOEFL score acceptance, medical education credentials, requests for USMLE transcripts and other items related to ECFMG Certification. ECFMG offers this service at no cost.
Recently, OASIS was enhanced to allow users to make on-line payments by credit card or electronic check. OASIS provides a quick, convenient method of paying for ECFMG services, such as exam applications and transcript requests. You can also use OASIS to pay outstanding charges from prior services.
ECFMG's on-line services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number, you can access OASIS from the ECFMG website at www.ecfmg.org.