This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in JAMA  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

John J. Norcini, PhD; Nancy A. Maihoff, PhD; Susan C. Day, MD, MPH; John A. Benson, Jr, MD

JAMA. 1989;262(17):2402-2404.

Abstract
The past decade has seen less competition for medical school positions accompanied by the declining interest of medical students in internal medicine. At the same time, the number of first postgraduate—year positions in internal medicine residencies has increased, as has the number of first-year residents who take those positions. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in the medical knowledge of internal medicine residents during the past 6 years. Comparison of performance on the items common to pairs of the certifying examinations of the American Board of Internal Medicine from 1983 to 1988 revealed that the scores of candidates in the reference group have declined, but not dramatically. This trend has occurred among candidates from the top residency programs as well as all other residency programs, and it is present in candidates of all levels of overall clinical competence. Continuing declines in this area could ultimately affect patient care.

(JAMA. 1989;262:2402-2404)

Author Affiliations
From the American Board of Internal Medicine, Philadelphia, Pa.

Footnotes
This research does not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Reprint requests to American Board of Internal Medicine, 3624 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (Dr Norcini).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

The Role of Physician Specialty Board Certification Status in the Quality Movement
Brennan et al.
JAMA 2004;292:1038-1043.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Changes in the Medical Knowledge of Candidates for Certification
Norcini et al.
ANN INTERN MED 1991;114:33-35.
ABSTRACT  

Internal Medicine Certification: Scores Slip; Spirochete Survives
Cary
JAMA 1990;263:3022-3023.
ABSTRACT  

Internal Medicine Certification: Scores Slip; Spirochete Survives-Reply
Dan
JAMA 1990;263:3023-3023.
ABSTRACT  

Physician Reimbursement and the Resource-Based Relative-Value Scale
Grossman
American Journal of Medical Quality 1990;5:42-46.
ABSTRACT  

The Abyss: Sinking Scores in Internal Medicine
Dan
JAMA 1989;262:2438-2438.
ABSTRACT