- The MCAT is getting a facelift, reports an Inside Higher Ed article, “Revamping MCAT and Pre-Med Education.” There are a number of proposed changes, but biological and physical sciences will still be central to the test. Changes include removing the writing section (a section that med schools generally ignore anyways), an increased focus on behavioral and social sciences, and the transformation of a “verbal” section to a “critical analysis and reasoning skills section.” “It’s very clear that in this country a large proportion of illness is related to behavior and social and cultural problems,” says Steven G. Gabbe, chair of the revised MCAT committee. “So we want to encourage the applicant to medical school to be thinking about those and reading about those early.”Also, the test is expected to lengthen, from 5.5 hours to 7. The new test launches in 2015.
- A MedicalNewsToday.com article introduces readers to the recently launched website StratOG.net, an online resource for doctors specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. It features more than 90 lectures, assessments, and tutorials for trainees and consultants, accessible throughout the world. The site was developed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
- A Chicago Sun Times article, “More young doctors choosing careers in primary care,” discusses the reasons for the recent increase in interest in primary care-related fields, including family medicine and internal medicine. The article points to health care reform, mainly increased Medicare reimbursements, as a contributing player to the rise. Special incentive programs geared towards medical students who choose to work in primary care fields and in underserved areas are also alluring. See our blog post, “2011 Senior Match Day Results,” for more details on this year’s residency matches.
Accepted.com ~ Helping You Write Your Best
Read the full article: Medical School News Round Up
