The Planetary Benefit of Suspending USMLE Step 2 CS: Estimating Carbon Emissions Associated with US Medical Students' Travel to Testing Centers.

IF 2.5 3区 工程技术 Q2 BIOLOGY Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Pub Date : 2023-06-01 DOI:10.59249/BAOU9229
James R Sherpa, Laura Donahue, Jennifer Tsai, Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako
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Abstract

Background: The discontinuation of the Step 2 Clinical Skills Exam (CS) by the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) eliminated the need for personal travel to testing centers. The carbon emissions associated with CS have not been previously quantified. Objective: To estimate the annual carbon emissions generated by travel to CS Testing Centers (CSTCs) and to explore differences across geographic regions. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study by geocoding medical schools and CSTCs to calculate the distance between them. We obtained data from the 2017 matriculant databases of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). The independent variable was the location as defined by USMLE geographic regions. The dependent variables were distance traveled to CSTCs and estimated carbon emissions in metric tons CO2 (mtCO2) calculated using three models. In model 1 all students used single occupancy vehicles; in model 2, all carpooled; and in model 3, half traveled by train and half by single occupancy vehicle. Results: Our analysis included 197 medical schools. The mean out-of-town travel distance was 280.67 miles (IQR: 97.49-383.42). The mtCO2 associated with travel was 2,807.46 for model 1; 3,135.55 for model 2; and 635.34 for model 3. The Western region traveled the farthest, while the Northeast traveled significantly less than other regions. Conclusion: The annual estimated carbon emissions from travel to CSTCs was approximately 3,000 mtCO2. Northeastern students traveled the shortest distances; the average US medical student expended 0.13 mtCO2. Medical leaders must consider the environmental impact of medical curricula and pursue accordant reforms.

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暂停USMLE的全球效益第二步CS:估计与美国医学生前往测试中心相关的碳排放
背景:美国医疗执照考试(USMLE)停止了第二步临床技能考试(CS),消除了个人前往测试中心的需要。与碳排放相关的碳排放以前没有被量化。目的:估计每年前往CS测试中心(CSTCs)所产生的碳排放量,并探讨不同地理区域的差异。方法:采用横断面观察研究方法,对医学院校和CSTCs进行地理编码,计算它们之间的距离。我们从美国医学院协会(AAMC)和美国骨科医学院协会(AACOM)的2017年招生数据库中获取数据。自变量为USMLE地理区域定义的位置。因变量是到达CSTCs的距离和使用三种模型计算的以公吨二氧化碳(mtCO2)为单位的估计碳排放量。在模型1中,所有学生都使用单人车辆;在模型2中,所有人都拼车;在模型3中,一半人乘坐火车,一半人乘坐单人车。结果:我们的分析包括197所医学院。平均出镇旅行距离为280.67英里(IQR: 97.49-383.42)。模型1与出行相关的mtCO2为2,807.46;模型2为3135.55;型号3为635.34。西部地区的旅行最远,而东北部的旅行明显少于其他地区。结论:每年从旅游到CSTCs的碳排放量估计约为3,000 mtCO2。东北大学的学生走的距离最短;美国医学院学生平均每人消耗0.13亿吨二氧化碳。医学领导者必须考虑医学课程对环境的影响,并进行相应的改革。
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来源期刊
Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology-General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology
CiteScore
5.00
自引率
0.00%
发文量
41
期刊介绍: The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine (YJBM) is a graduate and medical student-run, peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to the publication of original research articles, scientific reviews, articles on medical history, personal perspectives on medicine, policy analyses, case reports, and symposia related to biomedical matters. YJBM is published quarterly and aims to publish articles of interest to both physicians and scientists. YJBM is and has been an internationally distributed journal with a long history of landmark articles. Our contributors feature a notable list of philosophers, statesmen, scientists, and physicians, including Ernst Cassirer, Harvey Cushing, Rene Dubos, Edward Kennedy, Donald Seldin, and Jack Strominger. Our Editorial Board consists of students and faculty members from Yale School of Medicine and Yale University Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. All manuscripts submitted to YJBM are first evaluated on the basis of scientific quality, originality, appropriateness, contribution to the field, and style. Suitable manuscripts are then subject to rigorous, fair, and rapid peer review.
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