[USMLE study for IMGs: an Open Access, Systematic approach]
On Hold as of November 20th, 2021
Pavel Zhelnov, MD
@drzhelnov
Dear Colleagues,
Many of us IMGs know how good UWorld is for USMLE prep. In fact, UWorld is a triumph of contemporary evidence-based education. That said, it is rather costly, so a cheaper alternative seems appealing. At the very least, I would like an alternative to it at the knowledge-acquisition phase before I proceed to application of that knowledge, where QBank access is required.
Exploring the alternatives, I am deeply concerned about the USMLE study materials available on the Web. Among the results of a Google search for: (usmle img study OR prep), I have only seen study cases (‘This is how I did it…,’ either written or video-based) or commercial training courses. The former are anecdotal and mostly feature review materials with no solid tips for foundation-building. The latter are behind paywalls with useful tips available but not the study content itself. Thus, I have looked into an open access, systematic approach.
My idea was to take existing curricula of various (preferably fewer and higher-rated) U.S. medical schools and devise a fixed-term self-learning schedule with a list of required readings for each week (in no particular order within weeks). So I have constructed the table below from both recent and outdated syllabi that I could find with Google in May 2021. I am currently processing the featured textbooks to make the syllabic content available free of charge in the form of glternatives while also integrating these syllabi with official USMLE practice materials to create the Interactive USMLE Physician Tasks/Competencies and the Interactive USMLE Content Outline. This would effectively create a self-study roadmap with tasks/competencies as its tracks and content topics as the milestones. Naturally, to navigate the roadmap, the prospective Step-taker would need to clear specific resources such as textbook chapters, journal articles, videos, or their glternatives. QBanks would still be required to test one’s competencies and topic knowledge once there is something to test.
I declare that I have never taken nor supervised study for any USMLE examination (as of August 2021), so I am currently unable to advise about empirical effectiveness of my study materials.
M1 through M4 denote years one through four at a typical U.S. medical school. Longitudinal is a year-long course interspersed with the shorter courses. Not all the curricular content was available for inclusion, but hopefully, this was enough. Sorry for any links that might get broken with time. Consider replacing unavailable readings with similar ones at hand, like I, too, did.
View this page on GitHub to create a custom copy (also to track versions). Feedback is always welcome via GitHub or Twitter. My own prep reports are public as GitHub issues (on hold as of Nov. 20, 2021). Enjoy!
| Syllabus | U.S. Med School |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | |
| M1 Module 1 META: Mindfully Evolving, Thriving & Advocating - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 2 - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 3 - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 1 Cellular Injury and Adaptation | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 4 - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 5 - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 2 | |
| M1 Module 1 META: Mindfully Evolving, Thriving & Advocating - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 2 - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 3 - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 2 Immunology I | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 4 - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 5 - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 3 | |
| M1 Module 1 META: Mindfully Evolving, Thriving & Advocating - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 3 Auto-immunity and Transplantation | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 3 - Professional Identity Formation | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 4 | |
| M1 Module 1 META: Mindfully Evolving, Thriving & Advocating - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 2 - Weeks 4-5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 4 Bacteriology | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 5 | |
| M1 Module 1 META: Mindfully Evolving, Thriving & Advocating - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 5 Virology | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 4 - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 6 | |
| M1 Module 1 META: Mindfully Evolving, Thriving & Advocating - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 6 Parasitology & Mycology | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 4 - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 7 | |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M1 Module 2 - Week 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues - Week 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 7 Neoplasia I | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 8 | |
| M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology - Week 8 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense - Week 8 Neoplasia II | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior - Week 8 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship - Orientation Prior to Start of Clerkship | Florida State University |
| Week 9 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M2 Module 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship - Week 1 | Florida State University |
| Week 10 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship - Week 2 | Florida State University |
| Week 11 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship - Week 3 | Florida State University |
| Week 12 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship - Week 4 | Florida State University |
| Week 13 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship - Week 5 | Florida State University |
| Week 14 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship - Week 6 | Florida State University |
| Week 15 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 8 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 9 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Pediatrics Clerkship - Week 1 | Windsor University |
| Week 16 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 10 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Pediatrics Clerkship - Week 2 | Windsor University |
| Week 17 | |
| M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary - Case 11 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Pediatrics Clerkship - Week 3 | Windsor University |
| Week 18 | |
| M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M2 Module 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Pediatrics Clerkship - Week 4 | Windsor University |
| Week 19 | |
| M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Pediatrics Clerkship - Week 5 | Windsor University |
| Week 20 | |
| M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Surgical Clerkship - Week 1 | Louisiana State University |
| Week 21 | |
| M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Surgical Clerkship - Week 2 | Louisiana State University |
| Week 22 | |
| M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Surgical Clerkship - Week 3 | Louisiana State University |
| Week 23 | |
| M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Surgical Clerkship - Week 4 | Louisiana State University |
| Week 24 | |
| M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes - Week 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Surgical Clerkship - Week 5 | Louisiana State University |
| Week 25 | |
| M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M2 Module 8 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Surgical Clerkship - Week 6 | Louisiana State University |
| Week 26 | |
| M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M4 Critical Care Selective - Orientation (Day 1) | University of California, Riverside |
| M4 Critical Care Selective - Week 1 | University of California, Riverside |
| Week 27 | |
| M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M4 Critical Care Selective - Week 2 | University of California, Riverside |
| Week 28 | |
| M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M4 Critical Care Selective - Week 3 | University of California, Riverside |
| Week 29 | |
| M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Emergency Medicine Clerkship - Week 1 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 30 | |
| M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Emergency Medicine Clerkship - Week 2 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 31 | |
| M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Week 7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Emergency Medicine Clerkship - Week 3 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 32 | |
| M2 Module 9 Endocrinology and Reproduction - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M2 Module 9 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Family Medicine Clerkship - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 33 | |
| M2 Module 9 Endocrinology and Reproduction - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Family Medicine Clerkship - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 34 | |
| M2 Module 9 Endocrinology and Reproduction - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Family Medicine Clerkship - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 35 | |
| M2 Module 9 Endocrinology and Reproduction - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Family Medicine Clerkship - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 36 | |
| M2 Module 9 Endocrinology and Reproduction - Week 6 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 1 | Windsor University |
| Week 37 | |
| M2 Module 10 Dermatology/ Hematology/ Musculoskeletal - Week 1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Longitudinal Practice of Medicine at M2 Module 10 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 2 | Windsor University |
| Week 38 | |
| M2 Module 10 Dermatology/ Hematology/ Musculoskeletal - Week 2 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 3 | Windsor University |
| Week 39 | |
| M2 Module 10 Dermatology/ Hematology/ Musculoskeletal - Week 3 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 4 | Windsor University |
| Week 40 | |
| M2 Module 10 Dermatology/ Hematology/ Musculoskeletal - Week 4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 5 | Windsor University |
| Week 41 | |
| M2 Module 10 Dermatology/ Hematology/ Musculoskeletal - Week 5 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 6 | Windsor University |
| Week 42 | |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 7 | Windsor University |
| M3 Psychiatry Clerkship - Week 1 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 43 | |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 8 | Windsor University |
| M3 Psychiatry Clerkship - Week 2 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 44 | |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 9 | Windsor University |
| M3 Psychiatry Clerkship - Week 3 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 45 | |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 10 | Windsor University |
| M3 Psychiatry Clerkship - Week 4 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 46 | |
| M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship - Week 11 | Windsor University |
| M3 Psychiatry Clerkship - Week 5 | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Week 47 | |
| M3 Neurology Clerkship - Week 1 | University of North Dakota |
| M3 Neurology Clerkship - Week 2 | University of North Dakota |
| M3 Neurosurgery Elective | University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| Week 48 | |
| Review Weeks 1-8 | |
| Review M1 Module 1 META: Mindfully Evolving, Thriving & Advocating | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M1 Module 2 Gross Anatomy/Radiology | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M1 Module 3 Molecules, Cells, and Tissues | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M1 Module 4 Pathobiology and Host Defense | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M1 Module 5 Neuroscience and Human Behavior | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review Practice of Medicine at M1 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Week 49 | |
| Review Weeks 9-28 | |
| Review M2 Module 6 Cardiovascular/Pulmonary | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M2 Module 7 Renal, Fluids, and Electrolytes | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Weeks 1-4 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review Practice of Medicine at M2 Modules 6-8 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M3 Obstetrics and Gynecology Clerkship | Florida State University |
| Review M3 Pediatrics Clerkship | Windsor University |
| Review M3 Surgical Clerkship | Louisiana State University |
| Review M4 Critical Care Selective | University of California, Riverside |
| Week 50 | |
| Review Weeks 29-47 | |
| Review M2 Module 8 Gastrointestinal/Nutrition - Weeks 5-7 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M2 Module 9 Endocrinology and Reproduction | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M2 Module 10 Dermatology/ Hematology/ Musculoskeletal | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review Practice of Medicine at M2 Modules 9-10 | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M3 Emergency Medicine Clerkship | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Review M3 Family Medicine Clerkship | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Review M3 Internal Medicine Clerkship | Windsor University |
| Review M3 Psychiatry Clerkship | Northeast Ohio Medical University |
| Review M3 Neurology Clerkship | University of North Dakota |
| Review M3 Neurosurgery Elective | University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |