Ecfmg 2015 Annual Report

About eCfMg

stAteMent of VAlues, Mission 

And PurPoses 

Values 

Te values of ECFMG are expressed in its vision statement: 

“Improving world health through excellence in medical education in the context of ECFMG’s core 

values of collaboration, professionalism and accountability.” 

Mission 

Te charge of ECFMG is expressed in its mission statement: 

“Te ECFMG promotes quality health care for the public by certifying international medical graduates 

for entry into U.S. graduate medical education, and by participating in the evaluation and certifcation of other 

physicians and health care professionals nationally and internationally. In conjunction with its Foundation for 

Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), and other partners, it actively seeks 

opportunities to promote medical education through programmatic and research activities.” 

Purposes 

Te purposes (goals) that actuate and accomplish ECFMG’s mission are to: 

•   certify the readiness of international medical graduates for entry into graduate medical education and 

health care systems in the United States through an evaluation of their qualifcations 

•   provide complete, timely, and accessible information to international medical graduates regarding entry 

into graduate medical education in the United States 

•   assess the readiness of international medical graduates to recognize the diverse social, economic and 

cultural needs of U.S. patients upon entry into graduate medical education 

•   identify the needs of international medical graduates to become acculturated into U.S. health care 

•   verify credentials and provide other services to health care professionals worldwide 

•   provide international access to testing and evaluation programs 

•   expand knowledge about international medical education programs and their graduates by gathering 

data, conducting research, and disseminating the fndings 

•   improve international medical education through consultation and cooperation with medical schools 

and other institutions relative to program development, standard setting, and evaluation 

•   improve assessment through collaboration with other entities in the United States and abroad 

•   improve the quality of health care by providing research and consultation services to institutions that 

evaluate international medical graduates for entry into their country 

•   enhance efectiveness by delegating appropriate activities in international medical education to 

FAIMER 

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the YeAr in highlights 

ECFMG Brings EPIC to New International Partners 

In 2015, ECFMG welcomed international medical regulatory clients to EPIC

SM

, 

ECFMG’s new technology platform for the primary-source verifcation of 

physician credentials. For the frst time, EPIC ofers universal access to ECFMG’s 

world-class, primary-source verifcation services for the credentials related to 

a physician’s medical education, training, and registration/licensure. Although 

primary-source verifcation is considered a best practice, it is by no means always 

utilized in credential verifcation processes. With EPIC, all medical regulatory 

authorities, and other organizations that evaluate the qualifcations of physicians, can incorporate no-cost primary-

source verifcation into their evaluation processes. 

In September, the Medical Council of Ireland began using EPIC to assess the medical qualifcations of 

its Category 4 applicants—those who apply for registration from medical schools located outside of the European 

Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland. By joining EPIC, the Medical Council has added 

primary-source verifcation to its tools for evaluating the qualifcations of its Category 4 applicants and promoting 

the highest professional standards for physicians practicing in the Republic of Ireland. 

In October, the Australian Medical Council (AMC) joined EPIC, requiring its international applicants 

to use EPIC to have their core medical credentials primary-source verifed. Previously, AMC obtained verifcation 

of credentials through ECFMG’s International Credentials Services (EICS). By transitioning to EPIC, AMC and 

its applicants are able to enjoy additional benefts, including the convenience and security of EPIC’s web-based 

interface, and signifcant time savings in the primary source verifcation process for credentials that are verifed 

through ECFMG’s electronic Credentials Verifcation program. 

In late 2015, ECFMG was working with several other organizations to assist them in incorporating EPIC 

into their physician assessment processes. More information on EPIC is available at www.ecfmgepic.org. 

ECFMG Transitions to World Directory of Medical Schools to Determine Applicant 

Eligibility 

On June 30, 2015, ECFMG began to use the World Directory of Medical Schools to determine the eligibility of 

applicants for ECFMG Certifcation and the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®). Prior to 

this date, ECFMG used the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) for this purpose. 

Te World Directory is a joint venture of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the 

Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER®). It represents the 

merger of WFME’s Avicenna Directory and FAIMER’s IMED to produce a single, comprehensive resource on 

undergraduate medical education worldwide. Te World Directory is sponsored by six international organizations, 

including ECFMG, which support its mission. 

Te World Directory ofers enhanced information such as enrollment and curriculum data for schools that 

ofer multiple medical programs or tracks. In the future, additional features, such as information about program 

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