Evaluation of review courses for the ECFMG examination

In this paper three review courses for the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) examination are described. A comparison of the pass rates on the January 1973 ECFMG examination for examinees taking the courses with those not taking the courses shows a statistically significant difference (47 percent passing for those taking the courses in contrast to 18 percent passing for those not taking the courses). Although the courses appear to be effective, the limitations of the ECFMG examination as a screening device for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) make it unwise to expand the number of such courses. The cramming of basic medical knowledge into students is not a useful solution to the problem of physician shortages. The focus of attention on the FMG in the health care system must shift from a search for expedient ways of providing for greater utilization of FMGs to the deleterious effects of this utilization on the quality of patient care.