Does Masking MCAT Scores During Admissions Increase Equity?

Purpose: To improve admissions process equity, the Uniformed Services University masked Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores at or above the 51st percentile to admissions committee members. This policy was aimed at improving admissions rates for applicants in 2 priority groups: those from races and ethnicities underrepresented in medicine (URM) and those from lower socioeconomic status, represented by first-generation college (FGC) graduates.

Method: All applicants invited to interview were included: 1,624 applicants from admissions years 2014-2016 before MCAT score masking and 1,668 applicants from admissions years 2018-2020 during MCAT score masking.

Blinding of Admissions Committee to MCAT Scores: Is There a Difference in Subsequent Medical School Performance Between Cohorts?

Background: The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is designed to inform members of the admissions committee about applicants' academic readiness for medical school. Although previous work has shown that MCAT scores have some predictive validity evidence for a variety of medical student outcomes, there is also a concern that the MCAT is overly emphasized by admissions committees, which may, for example, affect matriculant diversity. The purpose of this study was to understand whether deemphasizing the MCAT by blinding committee members to applicants' specific scores has resulted in matriculants with different pre-clerkship and clerkship performance.

The Validity of MCAT Scores in Predicting Students' Performance and Progress in Medical School: Results From a Multisite Study.

Purpose: This is the first multisite investigation of the validity of scores from the current version of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) in clerkship and licensure contexts. It examined the predictive validity of MCAT scores and undergraduate grade point averages (UGPAs) for performance in preclerkship and clerkship courses and on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge examinations. It also studied students' progress in medical school.

Atraumatic forearm swelling in a patient with poorly controlled asthma.

We present a case of sarcoidosis presenting as unilateral forearm swelling. A 65-year-old male with a long history of asthma presented with unexplained left forearm and hand swelling. Over many years, chest imaging had been devoid of adenopathy or parenchymal findings suspicious for sarcoid, until after the extremity findings emerged.

Cardiac MRI for Patients with Increased Cardiometabolic Risk.

Cardiac MRI (CMR) has rich potential for future cardiovascular screening even though not approved clinically for routine screening for cardiovascular disease among patients with increased cardiometabolic risk. Patients with increased cardiometabolic risk include those with abnormal blood pressure, body mass, cholesterol level, or fasting glucose level, which may be related to dietary and exercise habits. However, CMR does accurately evaluate cardiac structure and function.

Patient Perspectives on the Risk-Based NLST Outcomes Tool for Lung Cancer Screening.

Researchers at the NCI have developed the Risk-Based NLST Outcomes Tool (RNOT), an online tool that calculates risk of lung cancer diagnosis and death with and without lung cancer screening, and false-positive risk estimates. This tool has the potential to facilitate shared decision making for screening. The objective of this study was to examine how current heavy and former smokers understand and respond to personalized risk estimates from the RNOT.

Optimizing routine screening for cardiac sarcoidosis through use of commonly available studies.

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder with unclear etiology. Morbidity and mortality vary based on organ involvement, with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) associated with higher mortality; despite this, CS remains underdiagnosed. The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) expert consensus statement recommends screening sarcoidosis patients for CS utilizing a symptom screen, EKG, and echocardiogram (TTE), while the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guideline recommends only EKG and symptom screening.

Do Interviews Influence Admission Decisions? An Empirical Analysis From an Institution.

Introduction: The admission interview is regarded as one of the most significant moments in the process of applying to medical school, but there is limited empirical evidence that supports this claim. Previous analyses have offered what is largely anecdotal evidence of the interview's importance while also suggesting that there is ample opportunity for ethnic and gender bias to impact interview scores. We also asked what medical schools can learn from comparing the attributes of matriculants and those applicants who rejected offers of acceptance.

A Quadricuspid Aortic Valve as Seen by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

We report a case of a 35-year-old active duty male with a rare quadricuspid aortic valve identified via transthoracic echocardiography following the detection of an incidental grade I/VI diastolic murmur. Further characterization of the anatomical findings and aortic valve flow dynamics were evaluated with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Accurate assessment of the various valve morphologies is essential, as it guides surgical treatment options to correct the defect.

Lung function abnormalities among service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan with respiratory complaints.

Background: Service members deploying to Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF) often return with respiratory symptoms. We sought to determine prevalence of lung function abnormalities following OEF/OIF.

Methods: We identified OEF/OIF patients who had unexplained respiratory symptoms evaluated using lung function testing.

Sinus venosus atrial septal defect as a cause of palpitations and dyspnea in an adult: a diagnostic imaging challenge.

Sinus venosus atrial septal defects (SV-ASD) have nonspecific clinical presentations and represent a diagnostic imaging challenge. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) remains the initial diagnostic imaging modality. However, detection rates have been as low as 12%.

Computed tomography angiography of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) can be life-threatening but often remain undiagnosed until a complication occurs or the disease is discovered incidentally on imaging studies performed for other purposes. Multidetector-row computed tomography angiography has emerged as a useful modality for aortic imaging and allows a comprehensive evaluation of TAAs in terms of their morphology, extent, amount of thrombus, relationship to adjacent structures, and signs of acute or impending rupture. This article reviews the normal anatomy of the thoracic aorta, etiology of TAAs, and the spectrum of their imaging appearance.

Colonic perforation during screening CT colonography using automated CO2 insufflation in an asymptomatic adult.

CT colonography has become a potential alternative technique to optical colonoscopy for the detection of colorectal polyps and cancer. While considered safer than optical colonoscopy, CT colonography is not without risk. We report a case of colonic perforation during CT colonography using automated CO(2) insufflation and present procedural changes to help minimize the adverse effects of perforation when it occurs.