Transcript The Anatomy of the MSPE - University of California, Los

The MSPE and
Residency Process
January 17, 2008
Class of 2009
Meredith, Buck, and Dr. Parker
Who Writes the MSPE?
Dean Parker
Supplemental information provided by SAO, Colleges Chairs, and YOU!
What goes into the MSPE?

1-2 Paragraphs about your performance in Years 1
and 2.
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Does NOT include exam scores
All of Year 3 evaluation comments (verbatim)
Summary of academic progress (including gaps or
leaves of absence)
Summary paragraph
Unique characteristics
What does an MSPE Look Like?

All Medical Schools follow the AAMC guidelines to
format and submit their MSPE.

All have the same headings and content.
For review of the guidelines:
http://www.aamc.org/members/gsa/mspeguide.pdf
Identifying Information
MEDICAL STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
FOR
JOE BRUIN
NOVEMBER 1, 2008
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
Joe Bruin is a fourth-year student at the Joe Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in
Los Angeles, California.
Unique Characteristics
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
Joe Bruin was born in New York to immigrant parents. His mother is a nurse, and his father is a
dentist. At age three, the family moved to downtown Los Angeles while his father completed dentistry
licensure, then to Orange County and finally to Palos Verdes. In elementary and high school, Joe developed
an interest in science and excelled in his studies. He also competed in Tae-Kwan Do and held an international
junior ranking.
Seeking to broaden horizons, Joe did his undergraduate work at Rutgers University, where he received
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Genetics and Human Biology. He made the Dean’s List for two years. In the
summer following his freshman year, he became an Emergency Medical Technician in a ten-week program at
UCLA, and this led to a two-year stint as a live-in volunteer firefighter and EMT at the Cayuga Heights Fire
Department in Ithaca. He assumed leadership roles as company secretary and then president.
After graduation, Joe decided to take a research year with Dr. Buchanan in the Department of
Orthopedic Surgery at UCLA. He was involved in a number of basic projects concerning bone repair. This
work has continued and expanded to include a project on imaging of experimental metastatic lesions. As a
result of his research, Joe is co-author of seven manuscripts in print or in press. During the dedicated research
year, Joe supported himself by teaching at the Kaplan Learning Center and an independent learning center in
Torrance and by private tutoring.
Joe has done very well at the School of Medicine. He maintains a wide scope of interests outside of
medicine, including athletics, travel, cooking, auto restoration, and music. His interest in orthopedics has been
strengthened by his clinical experiences and his ongoing research. He enjoys the technical challenges that
orthopedics provides, the camaraderie among physicians in the discipline, and the nature of the clinical
problems.
Academic History
ACADEMIC HISTORY
Date of expected graduation from Medical School:
June 2, 2009
Date of initial matriculation in Medical School:
August 4, 2005
Please explain any extensions, leave(s) of absence, gap(s) or breaks in the
student’s educational program: N/A
Transfer student: N/A. UCLA does not accept transfer students.
For dual/joint/combined degree students: N/A
Date of Initial Matriculation in Other Degree Program:
Date of Expected Graduation from Other Degree Program:
Type (degree and major) of Other Degree Program:
Was this student required to repeat any coursework during his/her medical
education?
(if yes, please explain): No
Was this student the recipient of any adverse actions by the medical school or
its parent institution? (if yes, please explain): No
Academic Progress
ACADEMIC PROGRESS
The Joe Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA adopted a pure pass/fail grading system
without the ability to obtain honors with the 1993 entering class. However, a Letter
of Distinction can be awarded. A Letter of Distinction is based on the extraordinary
quality of a student’s performance, irrespectivof the performance of other students
in the course. These letters are not awarded on any type of quota system.
An assessment of Joe’s academic abilities both in the basic sciences as well as in the
clinical sciences can be readily ascertained from the narratives below. These are
taken directly from the evaluations submitted by the course chairs and the faculty of
the basic sciences, small group discussion sections, and clinical clerkships:
Years One and Two
Joe successfully completed the curriculum of the first two years. Comments from his
evaluations include: “Joe uses his good knowledge of basic science and his own
hands-on experience and applies them very well. He had excellent problem solving
and critical thinking skills. Often made astute comments. He had the most
outstanding patient interviewing skills in the group. Joe will make an incredibly
observant, thoughtful and effective physician.”
Academic Progress
Required Clinical Clerkships and Elective Rotations
Narratives are edited for length, grammar and redundancy only.
Doctoring 3
(Required)
For the duration of the 3rd year
Center for Health Sciences
Joe Bruin is an active, enthusiastic and valuable member of our doctoring group. Joe combines his naturally
personable, open demeanor with a fine capacity to articulate and present well reasoned opinions and
knowledge on pertinent issues. He demonstrated a highly skillful patient interview and appeared to easily
understand the need to subordinate his own rapid, decisive pace and opinions to the needs and pace of the
patient. Joe has been a thoughtful participant on all issues and his written and verbal participation have been
outstanding in every session.
Longitudinal Preceptorship
(Required)
For the duration of the 3rd year
Center for Health Sciences
Cardiology: Joe is a star! He is one of the most delightful, insightful, engaging students I have interacted with.
During his preceptorship he displayed abilities and talents comparable to a fourth year medical student. He is
clearly at the head of the class. During the preceptorship he used the time to practice and hone his physical
diagnosis skills, interviewing skills and fund of knowledge. Joe also has a very large interest in scientific
investigation. He was always on the lookout for interesting scientific questions and he saw each case as a new
opportunity to ask insightful and probing questions. Joe will undoubtedly succeed in any field he chooses. I
thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with him and give him my very highest and most enthusiastic evaluation.
Academic Progress
Ambulatory Internal Medicine
Kaiser Foundation Hospital
(Required)
7/25/2006
(4 weeks)
Joe rotated through Kaiser Foundation Hospital for his ambulatory medicine rotation 8/8-9/4/05. History taking was
superior, very thorough and included most all important details. PEs were high-satisfactory and were complete
and appropriately targeted and demonstrated good technique. Oral case presentations were superior,
demonstrating good organization and clarity and were of appropriate length. Write-ups were superior
demonstrating good DDX and problem lists and a thorough TX plan. Fund of knowledge was superior and
above the level for a third year student. His clinical judgment was high-satisfactory; he was able to frequently
integrate clinical information, medical facts and TX options applying an evidence-based approach. Joe's
humanism was Superior. He demonstrated great empathy for his patients and was clearly interested in his
patient's emotional as well as physical problems. He was enthusiastic and hardworking. His Attending wrote
"Joe demonstrated an outstanding medical knowledge base during this rotation". Overall Joe performed at a
superior level during his ambulatory medicine rotation at Kaiser Foundation Hospital.
Academic Progress
Inpatient Internal Medicine
(Required)
9/1/2006 (8 weeks)
West Los Angeles VA
Joe did and outstanding job on the first month of his medical clerkship at the West LA VA. He is a pleasure to
work with and displayed a strong interest in learning and a deep commitment to patient care. He has
outstanding interpersonal skills. His ability to care for and communicate with his patients is perhaps best
illustrated by the several occasions when he was able to translate complex medical information into
language that his patients could understand, resulting in improved patient adherence and a strong bond
between him and his patients. Several observers observed his constant effort to improve his medical
knowledge and his presentations. His depth of interest in learning medicine is beyond the typical
medical student leading one house officer to judge him at the level of a sub-intern or intern. In summary,
Joe is a "wonderful personality" who "always did more than what was needed to make sure his patients
received the best medical care.Joe will make an outstanding house officer and physician.
Joe rotated at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. This student's evaluation is a composite of scores and
evaluations from attending physicians and residents. History taking was excellent, with consistent
precision and focus on relevant problems. Nearly all pertinent positive and negative findings were
elucidated skillfully and with appropriate attention to details. The student performed satisfactory physical
examinations that were, on occasion, very good. The student demonstrated current knowledge, including
information from journal articles, that was at a high level for 3rd year students. The student regularly
demonstrated excellent judgment, including the ability to integrate data and facts, balance risks and
benefits, and make justifiable decisions. "Good fund of knowledge. Good team player, willing to help out
and always interested in learning. Strong foundations of skills that will serve him well in the future." The
overall performance of this student on the Harbor-UCLA portion of the Inpatient Medicine clerkship was
excellent.
Academic Progress
Neurology
(Required)
12/1/2006
(3 weeks)
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Joe was outstanding on this rotation. He mastered the neurologic exam rather quickly, and was very good at
drawing out important details from patient's exams to guide differential diagnosis. He was inquisitive and
extremely conscientious, and his organized presentations were top-notch. He was very easy to work with, and
was very reliable. He essentially functioned at the level of an intern for our team, and this bodes very well for
his future residency of choice.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
(Required) 2/12/2007
(6 weeks)
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Joe did an outstanding job during his 3rd year clerkship on Ob/Gyn at Harbor-UCLA. He learned rapidly, read
widely, became very involved in patient care and sought out clinical and learning experiences. The faculty
noted that "Joe was an enthusiastic, capable, hard working, pleasant student. Joe is a very interesting young
man who brings a wide breadth of experiences to his medical career. He should make a very good
physician/surgeon.” A second faculty noted "He has great potential and I believe he will be an asset to
whatever specialty he chooses.” A third on said "This is a stellar student. Very responsible, great fund of
knowledge.” The residents were also impressed, the comment "Great Job" sums up their assessment.
Joe received a Letter of Distinction in Obstetrics/Gynecology
Academic Progress
Pediatrics
(Required)
4/1/2007
(6 weeks)
Center for Health Sciences
Excellent medical student. I am sure he'll be an outstanding resident in whatever field he selects. Nice to work with. Calm and
composed. Integrated clinical information extremely well. Always professional and appropriate with coworkers and patients.
Efficient and took charge of his own independent learning as well. Joe did a very good job on his Nursery rotation, and it was
nice to work with him. Although he is not interested in a Pediatrics career, Joe was always willing to learn new things and
experience new patients. He related well with the patients' families, he was always on time, and did a very good job with his
history taking and physical exams. I wish him well in his future as a Cardiologist or surgeon. Very professional among patients.
Interacted very well with children. In the nursery Joe demonstrated himself to be an eager pleasant student who worked well
with the nursery staff.
Psychiatry
(Required)
5/28/2007
(6 weeks)
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Joe was one of the best medical students that particular psychiatric service has seen. He is self-motivated, knowledgeable, hardworking, professional, caring conscientious and well-organized. He will be a truly outstanding resident.
Orthopaedic Surgery
(Elective)
8/24/2007
(4 weeks)
Center for Health Sciences
Truly an outstanding job by this exemplary student. Joe embodies what I look for in an exceptional future houseofficer:
extremely bright, asks provocative questions, hard working, and has an easy going calm demeanor.
Summary
SUMMARY
Joe Bruin has performed admirably throughout his education. He is bright, friendly, dedicated, and well-rounded.
His clerkship evaluations have been particularly strong and seem to predict that he will be a very effective
clinician, as well as a good teacher. He has tested his interest in orthopedics with an extended exposure to
research and close relationships with a number of faculty members. He has a sophisticated understanding of
the field and the intellect and personality to succeed through training and beyond.
Sincerely,
Neil H. Parker, M.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Appendix
Appendix A – Graphic Representations of Comparative Performance in Preclinical/Basic Science Coursework
The grading system for all four years is Pass/Fail without the possibility to obtain Honors. Thus a class ranking or placement into quartiles cannot be calculated.
Appendix B – Graphic Representations of Comparative Performance in Core Clinical Clerkships
The grading system for all four years is Pass/Fail without the possibility to obtain Honors. Thus a class ranking or placement into quartiles cannot be calculated.
Appendix C – Graphic Representations of Comparative Performance in Professional Attributes
The grading system for all four years is Pass/Fail without the possibility to obtain Honors. Thus a class ranking or placement into quartiles cannot be calculated.
Appendix D – Graphic Representations of Overall Comparative Performance in Medical School
The grading system for all four years is Pass/Fail without the possibility to obtain Honors. Thus a class ranking or placement into quartiles cannot be calculated.
Appendix E – Medical School Information Page – Class of 2006
Joe Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA – Los Angeles, California
Special programmatic emphasis, strengths, mission/goal(s) of UCLA:
The mission of the Joe Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is to prepare graduates for distinguished careers in medicine. Students are selected from an applicant pool of over
6,000 and are chosen for demonstrated excellence in academics, community service, research, and teaching. Over their four years at UCLA, students participate in a
wide range of activities that continue to emphasize our selection criteria. Over 80% of the students will have had meaningful experiences in community service,
teaching, or research. In the middle of the third year, students choose to belong to a College which has special emphasis on advising and mentoring.
Special characteristics of the UCLA educational program:
The curriculum for the class of 2006 was a discipline-based coursework for the first two years with emphasis on small groups and problem-based learning. The third year is
taken in two blocks of 24 weeks each of surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, and pediatrics or inpatient and ambulatory medicine, family medicine, and psychiatry &
neurology. Half of all the clinical coursework is in the ambulatory arena where students learn to do focused histories and physicals and are exposed to system-based
practices and real life issues in a highly managed care environment.
Over the first three years, students participate in Doctoring, which focuses on learning and improving their skills in communication, history taking and integrating psychosocial
issues into patient care. The program uses standardized patients, direct observation of students’ interviews, and trigger tapes of common problems and situations to
stimulate small group discussion.
Students join a College in the middle of their third year organized around specialties sharing common perspectives: Applied Anatomy, Acute Care, Primary Care,
M.B.A./M.P.H., Medical Scientist, and Urban Underserved. The colleges start with a week long Foundation course to prepare students for the fourth year, have a set of
defined selectives, include evening seminars and preparation sessions for residency, and focus on advising and mentoring for career selection and preparation.
There are both the MSTP program, which accepts students for their M.D. and Ph.D. from the initial application, and the Access program, which accepts students during their
second year for their Ph.D. Most students spend 3-5 years between their second and third years. Additionally, students are increasingly electing to obtain their M.B.A.
or M.P.H. Students are selected in their third year and do joint courses over the subsequent two years, obtaining both degrees at graduation in a total of five years.
Average length of enrollment (initial matriculation to graduation) at UCLA:
Seventy percent of the Class of 2006 will have spent three years and ten months in our four year program. Thirty percent elected to take additional training for research,
community service, or an advanced degree. Only the summer between the first and second years is non structured time.
Appendix (cont.)
Description of the evaluation system used at UCLA:
The grading system for all four years is Pass/Fail without the possibility to obtain Honors. Thus a class ranking or placement
into quartiles cannot be calculated.
A student may be awarded a Letter of Distinction (LOD) based on extraordinary quality of his/her performance in all
segments of the course and irrespective of the performance of the other students. LOD’s can only be awarded for first
and second year courses which have small group and problem-based components. All required clerkships of the third
year (except Radiology and Preceptorship) may award LOD’s. They are, however, not awarded for any fourth year
coursework (elective clerkships).
Requirements for completion of USMLE Steps 1, 2:
USMLE Step 1 – passage required for promotion into senior year and for graduation
USMLE Step 2 – Both CK and CS must be taken to graduate and CK passed
Requirement for completion of OSCE:
An OSCE is required for completion of the Second Year Physical Diagnosis course.
The Clinical Performance Examination by the California Consortium for assessing clinical competence is required of all
students at the end of their third year.
Utilization of course, clerkship or elective directors’ narrative comments:
Narratives are edited for length, grammar, and redundancy.
Utilization of AAMC’s “Guidelines for Academic Transcripts”:
Partially in compliance with guideline recommendations.
Student review MSPE prior to transmission for accuracy:
Yes
The Evaluation Section of MSPE
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Evaluations go in verbatim-remember this is an evaluation not a
recommendation
The only way to have the comments revised on your MSPE is to
have the Clerkship Director submit new comments on ESS. Revised
comments must be submitted to the SAO on ESS by September 1,
2008.
 Buck and Meredith will not be able to make revisions or
alter your evaluations in any way during the MSPE review
process
Questions or concerns about evaluations should be discussed with
Dr. Parker, Buck, or Meredith before approaching Clerkship Director.
Sample Evaluation Reformat
Before Edit:
Comments from faculty:
"Excellent job getting clinical information efficiently and presenting cases in clear logical format. Good rapport
with patients."
"Joanne Bruin is bright and enthusiastic, and did an excellent job on this rotation. She developed instant
rapport with patients, putting them at ease. Her histories were detailed and systematic. She evaluated
patients carefully, and formulated excellent differential diagnoses and management plans. Her case
presentations were complete and focused. It was a pleasure to work with her!"
On her case presentation project she received a score of 20/20 and on her written final examination she
received 70%.
After Edit:
"Excellent job getting clinical information efficiently and presenting cases in a clear logical format.
Good rapport with patients." "Joanne is bright and enthusiastic, and did an excellent job on this
rotation. She developed instant rapport with patients, putting them at ease. Her histories were
detailed and systematic. She evaluated patients carefully, and formulated excellent differential
diagnoses and management plans. Her case presentations were complete and focused. It was a
pleasure to work with her!"
What Is Removed from the Evaluation?
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PDA logs
Attendance (Unless it is an issue noted within the narrative of the
evaluation.)
Nomination for a LOD (If you received one, it will be noted in bold at
the end of the evaluation.)
Exam scores or percentiles
References to graded presentations
Physician/evaluator names
Websites and journal citations
Dates of Clerkships (the MSPE is written in chronological order)
What edits does the SAO make?
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Correction of name: You will be referred to by your given first name
throughout the MSPE
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Gender: Pronouns will be changed to reflect your gender
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Spelling and punctuation: All spelling will be corrected, but the nature
of composite evaluations is that punctuation may not be 100%
accurate. Sentence fragments may be left in.
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Redundant comments may be removed
What do I edit on the MSPE?
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“Unique Characteristics” Section
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“Summary” Section
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Errors, omissions, and chronology
Reference to specialty choice (this is up to you whether or not you want your
specialty included in the MSPE)
Personal information you do not want included in your application
Errors, omissions, and chronology
Reference to specialty choice (this is up to you whether or not you want your
specialty included in the MSPE)
Ensure LOD’s and AOA are included if applicable
How does the MSPE process work?
Spring 2008:
Complete online MSPE Personal Information Form-turn in to SAO by April 1st
June 5, 2008:
Mandatory Application Process Meeting
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Handbooks distributed (Application and Interview)
June-September:
Meet with Dean Parker (appointments will be scheduled by SAO)
July 1:
Issued ERAS token by SAO to BOL account-make sure there are no junk mail filters set
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All students (early match too) register on ERAS
July-September:
Schedule CV/PS meeting with Buck or Meredith
August 1-October 1:
MSPE Editing Begins
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You are notified by SAO when your MSPE is ready for review
October 10:
Last day for Evaluations to be received by SAO to be included in MSPE
November 1:
MSPEs released automatically to all programs (National Deadline)
MSPE Editing Timeline
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Each student allotted 1 opportunity to make edits-”Unique Characteristics” and
“Summary” only
Edits will be made by SAO and you will be contacted to sign-off on your MSPE
when completed
MSPE must be reviewed in SAO (allow 30 minutes to review)
You will not be allowed to make copies of your MPSE nor remove it from the SAO
Content of each MSPE is confidential and should not be shared with other
classmates
Until you have signed-off on your MSPE it will not be released
NOTE: Revised comments must be received by SAO before you begin the
editing process-you will not be allowed to contest comments during the
MSPE review.
Letters of Recommendation
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Download ERAS Recommendation form from
“Forms Index” on website
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You do not need to include your AAMC ID on the form
You do need to waive your right to see the letter by signing this form
Requests for LORs should begin this spring. All
requests should be made by September 1 to allow
letter writers time to complete them
LORs are submitted to the SAO and uploaded onto
ERAS as received as PDFs
Suggested types of Letters
Early Match (Ophthalmology and Urology)
1. LOR from either Medicine or Surgery (Yr 3)
1.
2.
1-2 LORs in specialty of choice (Yr 4)
1.
3.
Can be used for Preliminary Programs in ERAS Match
At least one LOR should be from UCLA, the others can be
from Away Electives
LOR from research mentor (if applicable)
Suggested types of Letters
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1.
Regular/ERAS Match
LOR from either Medicine or Surgery (Yr 3)
1.
2.
At least one LOR in specialty
1.
2.
3.
Can be used for Preliminary Programs if applicable
One should be from UCLA
Should be from Faculty Only (no residents)
1-2 LORs in Sub-Is or Electives taken in the summer
Good to have a variety of specialties
NOTE for Orthopaedics Applicants: 2-3 LORs should be in specialty and
should include Away Electives
1.
Chairs Letters
For applicants applying in:
 Internal Medicine
 Pediatrics
 Orthopaedics
 OB/Gyn
 Preliminary Medical programs
You may be required to submit a Chair’s Letter.
Requests for Chair’s Letters happen in June.
Residency Application Includes
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The MSPE (sent out nationally on November 1)
Personal Statement(s)
CV
Letters of recommendation
Medical School Transcript
Photograph
USMLE Score Report (automatically released by ERAS)
Advising in the Third and Fourth Year
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College Introduction Meetings (Mandatory)
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Scheduling 4th Year Clerkships Meeting (Mandatory)
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January 30, 2007
Residency/Match Timeline Meeting (Mandatory)
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First Week in January
June 5, 2008
Open Advising Office Hours for Personal Statements,
CV’s, and application preparation July 1-September 1
How Should I Structure my Time?
Year 3
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Continue to excel on Clerkships—earning an LOD is one of the strongest things
you can do to increase your competitiveness
Attend Doctoring Lunches with Dean Parker and Meredith throughout 3rd Year
Think about obtaining LORs from required clerkships. You may officially begin to
ask for these letters January of Year 3.
Continue to attend career specialty luncheons and lectures
Focus on career exploration and choice
Scheduling for Year 4 and the College selection process begins in January
Meet with Meredith or Buck after Match Day (early April) to assess status of your
application, confirm Year 4 schedule-etc
June of Year 3 Residency process officially begins
What do I until June of Year 3?
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Continue to explore career choices
Establish faculty mentor through College
Hang-out with the people in the specialties you are
considering—see if you fit in.
Plan away electives and sub-internships
“Your future career should fit like a glove!”
-Dean Parker