U.S. Medical Licensure Examination Step 3 Performance Relates to Different Forms of Disciplinary Action in Practice

• In Event: Predictors of Success and Academic Trajectories

Abstract

Studies suggest negative associations between performance on medical licensure examinations and receipt of disciplinary actions in practice. This study extends this research by analyzing the associations between USMLE Step 3 scores and specific forms of discipline. Using a sample of 275,392 physicians who passed Step 3 between 2000 and 2017, we compare the percentage of physicians with actions by discipline form and Step 3 performance level. We also estimate multinomial logistic regression models. Results show that higher Step 3 performers had fewer actions in most action categories. Results also show that Step 3 scores predict the likelihood of receiving an action in most action categories. These findings provide some validity evidence in support of Step 3 score uses.

Authors

• Wenli Ouyang, National Board of Medical Examiners

• Monica M. Cuddy, National Board of Medical Examiners

• Chunyan Liu, National Board of Medical Examiners