Deciphering Medical Education Acronyms!

For those of you who love acronyms, great, this post is for you!

First, what is an acronym? It is a condensed version of the name of a service, organization, phrase, or other item that is created by using the first letters of each word in the name to create a catchy and easy identifier.

* One challenge with acronyms, however, is that one acronym can stand for more than one entity. Hence, it is important to be careful when using acronyms, especially as relates to patient care, to ensure that the appropriate intent (and content) is relayed.

Medical education acronyms that are helpful to know include the following:

Accreditation Status

• LCME - Liaison Committee on Medical Education (Medical Doctor [MD] medical schools)

• COCA - Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine [DO} medical schools)

• ECFMG - Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (International Medical Graduates [IMGs])

• ACGME - Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (residency and fellowship/subspecialty programs)

Professional Organizations (medical trainees and physicians)

• AOA - American Osteopathic Association

• AMA - American Medical Association

Medical School Organizations (medical students)

• AACOM - American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

• AAMC - Association of American Medical Colleges

Medical Examination Related

• NBME - National Board of Medical Examiners

• FSMB - Federation of State Medical Boards

• USMLE - United States Medical Licensing Examination (Step 1, 2CK, [2CS], 3)

• NBOME - National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners

• COMSAE - Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Examination

• COMLEX-USA - Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (Level 1, 2CE, [2PE], 3)

• COMAT- Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test (the shelf exam for specialty rotations)

Stay tuned for more information regarding other medical acronyms and terminology (FREIDA, VSLO/VSAS, audition, SubI, SLOE, PY, TY, PGY, specialty/subspecialty and more) in future posts. And feel free to let me know if you want to hear about anything specific - I'll try to do my best to help!

Having navigated through medical school previously myself, I know it is challenging and having clarity regarding terminology and the overall process can lead to peace of mind. Medical school and residency are tough but can (and should) be enjoyable! Remembering to maintain your health and wellness (physical, mental, spiritual) is crucial during the process. Self-care is important in order to better be able to care for others.

Your primary focus should be on learning how to become an excellent physician. The goal is to make your path to doing so easier and to provide support as you move toward your goal of becoming a caring, successful, and (perhaps most importantly) happy and healthy physician.

Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to discuss any questions you have, to help with your planning, and to further elucidate the process of navigating medical education.