Proposed changes to the United States Medical Licensing Examination: Impact on curricula and libraries

Abstract

The NBME has announced that they do not anticipate that these changes will impact test takers for at least four years [11]. It has also been reported that the changes may be gradual with the current tests showing changes in questions and content over time [9]. Planning and implementing curricular changes to support a change in the USMLE structure will take a great deal of time and effort. These changes impact not only the curricula, but also key systems, such as libraries, which provide licensed online and print resources for exam review as well as curriculum support through their resources and services. Changes to the USMLE are inevitable-if not imminent. Librarians must stay abreast of developments that will affect their constituents as well as their delivery of resources and services. Beyond that, they can imagine new opportunities that can arise from this latest shift in the examination process.