In This Issue:

OET Webinars: Preparation for the Writing and Reading Sub-tests of OET Medicine for Native English-speaking Physicians
ECFMG^®|FAIMER^®, Other GME Leaders Collaborate on Toolkit for Transition to Residency

OET Webinars: Preparation for the Writing and Reading Sub-tests of OET Medicine for Native English-speaking Physicians

OET Webinar: Writing Preparation for Native English-Speaking Physicians
Wednesday June 2, 2021, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
OET Webinar: Reading Preparation for Native English-Speaking Physicians
Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

OET is offering the free preparation sessions listed above on the Writing and Reading sub-tests of the Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine. The two webinars are aimed at international medical graduates (IMGs) who are native English speakers or who already have a high level of English proficiency.

OET Medicine test tasks are based on those that physicians encounter in the workplace, and they are designed to be challenging. Preparation is key, even for individuals with a high-level of English proficiency. The webinars are being offered to prepare IMGs for the Writing and Reading sub-tests of OET Medicine by explaining test requirements. By the end of the session, participants should:

have a clear understanding of how to approach the OET Writing and Reading sub-tests,
know what the assessors are looking for and how to demonstrate it,
know how to analyze their current writing skills to identify any improvements they may need to make.

A satisfactory score on OET Medicine is required for IMGs applying to a Pathway for ECFMG Certification and for participation in the 2022 National Resident Matching Program^® (NRMP^®) Main Residency Match^® (The Match^®). To meet ECFMG’s requirements, applicants must attain a minimum score of 350 (Grade B) on each of the four measured sub-tests of OET Medicine (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) in one test administration. See the ECFMG website for more information.

About OET Medicine

The OET Medicine test is designed specifically for physicians, in consultation with physicians. The test assesses the health care-specific English language competency and communication skills of physicians. It is more than a test of English language proficiency, emphasizing the type of language physicians will need to communicate effectively in a clinical setting with peers and patients.

Meet the presenter

Rebecca Bush, Teaching and Learning Manager - OET
Rebecca Bush is part of the Education Team supporting candidates and teachers preparing candidates around the world for OET. She is the presenter of the popular Facebook Live Q+A sessions which OET holds twice per month for candidates, as well as a primary contact for teachers progressing through the OET’s training program for organizations offering test preparation courses.

All times are calculated using Eastern Time in the United States.

ECFMG|FAIMER, Other GME Leaders Collaborate on Toolkit for Transition to Residency

ECFMG|FAIMER President and CEO William W. Pinsky, MD recently joined forces with other national leaders in graduate medical education (GME) and medical school student leaders to develop a new toolkit of resources to support medical school graduates and U.S. GME programs in the transition to the first year of GME during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final product, titled Transition in a Time of Disruption: Practical Guidance to Support the Move from Undergraduate Medical Education to Graduate Medical Education, was announced in March as a follow-up to the Main Residency Match.

The toolkit of resources is designed to support residents and their residency programs in delivering safe, high-quality patient care during the pandemic and beyond. In addition to ECFMG|FAIMER, the toolkit was developed by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). FAIMER President Jeanette Mladenovic, MD, and Tracy Wallowicz, Assistant Vice President for U.S. Graduate Medical Education Services at ECFMG|FAIMER, joined Dr. Pinsky on the committee developing the toolkit.

"The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted almost all aspects of life and medical education has been no exception," Dr. Pinsky said. "Supporting the well-being, professional development, and equitable treatment of incoming residents is critical as they begin their journey to the independent practice of medicine, especially during this time of disruption. These resources will help with that transition."

This toolkit is divided into three sections:

Section I provides a framework and list of questions medical schools, residencies, and learners should review during this transition.
Section II provides a matrix of possible activities to help learners and residency programs implement a successful transition.
Section III provides a compendium of resources to support the transition for both learners and programs.

"The primary goal of the toolkit is to facilitate a successful and seamless transition from medical school to residency, and to create the necessary conditions to fully support young physicians’ early professional development during unprecedented times," Dr. Pinsky said. "Investing in supporting all incoming physicians can help to facilitate their success throughout the entire residency."