Moving Forward: Updates and Current Progress of The CLASS Project

The cancellation of Step 2 CS has resulted in a lack of national direction regarding clinical skills assessment and standards. Clinical Skills have traditionally been regarded as one of the cornerstones in medical education. The elimination of Step II CS has created a vacuum in the learning continuum as to a standardized approach for these skills. This not only has implications for across the medical continuum but also ultimately for the patients. In view of this, the CLASS Project, Clinical Skills Assessment and Standardization, is a national effort re-examining clinical skills in the context of medicine today. This project began in August 2021. It has nationally crowdsourced the knowledge of the medical educator community through a grassroots effort. There are 12 Taskforces each seeking to answer major questions as it relates to clinical skills. Each of these Taskforces are designated by question words: Why, What, How, Who, When, and Where. Additionally, there is a 13th Taskforce, Technology, examining the role of technology within the context of clinical skills. As a result, almost 400 people have been participating. This number of people who have volunteered is reflective of the widespread interest. This is an important project not only because it addresses important issues but also because the process, structure, involvement, and size of the project is unique.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the session, attendees will:
1. Learn about the Background and Current Progress of the CLASS Project
2. Contribute knowledge to ongoing topics of discussion within each Taskforce
3. Understand the unique structure of project for possible future replication in other endeavors

References:
1. Yudkowsky R, Szauter K. Farewell to the Step 2 Clinical Skills Exam: New Opportunities, Obligations, and Next Steps. Acad Med. 2021 Sep 1;96(9):1250-1253.
2. Kogan JR, Hauer KE, Holmboe ES. The Dissolution of the Step 2 Clinical Skills Examination and the Duty of Medical Educators to Step Up the Effectiveness of Clinical Skills Assessment. Acad Med. 2021 Sep 1;96(9):1242-1246.