Issue 139 - April 29, 2009
Information about USMLE and Influenza
In 2007, as part of an overall emergency planning process, the USMLE Composite Committee adopted a series of steps to be followed in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak. The protocol was adopted because the Committee determined that the USMLE testing process – which brings medical students and graduate physicians from around the country and around the world together at computer-based testing centers and regional Clinical Skills sites – may increase the possibility of exposure to infectious disease. As part of the protocol, the Composite Committee recommended that, in the event that such an outbreak reaches a significant threat level, some or all of the USMLE testing program be suspended.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued international alerts for H1N1 Influenza. The outbreak’s sustainability and virulence have not yet been established. Although the WHO and the CDC had not raised threat levels to the pandemic stage at the time of this posting, the situation is rapidly evolving and could change at any time. The Composite Committee and USMLE parent organizations are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to take appropriate measures as warranted to protect the health and safety of examinees and the public.
In the interim and until information warranting further decisions becomes available, USMLE candidates planning to test in the near future who have concerns about their ability to test safely may reschedule USMLE computer-based testing appointments or Clinical Skills appointments. In most instances, examinees should be able to use the standard procedures to make changes, without additional fees, by following procedures described in the USMLE Bulletin of Information.
If a concerned examinee has an eligibility period that ends on or before July 31, 2009 and would like to receive an eligibility period extension, he or she can do so, without additional fees, by contacting ECFMG by phone at (215) 386-5900 or by e-mail at info@ecfmg.org.
If the current threat level continues, then the eligibility end date for the arrangements described above will be extended beyond July 31. If the current threat level increases to WHO Stage 5 or 6, the Composite Committee and USMLE parents will consider the need to suspend the USMLE program until testing can be safely resumed.
Please be sure to monitor the USMLE and ECFMG websites for updates to this announcement. Of course, if you personally are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or believe that you may have been recently exposed to an influenza patient, you should reschedule your examination.
