How Will the DSM-5 Changes Affect Future USMLE Examinations?

At the 2013 annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, the highly-anticipated and long-awaited Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) was released, marking the end of more than a decade of collaboration and deliberation among countless experts within the field of psychiatry.

The changes and updates in diagnostic criteria, terminology and treatment protocols will be integrated into the USMLE examinations gradually over several years. According to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5 criteria and terminology will occur in two phases. The highest priority has been given to test content addressing diagnoses that do not appear in DSM-5; this content has already been removed from USMLE examinations. Second, USMLE content will be transitioned to include terminology from both DSM-IV and DSM-5 terminology beginning in 2014.

At Doctors In Training, we have already begun integrating and updating our psychiatry-related USMLE review content for 2014 to include the new DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, terminology and treatment protocols. This will ensure that our students will be familiar with DSM-5 diagnostic standards during this important transition period.

For further information, please visit: www.usmle.org

References:

(USMLE.org):
http://www.usmle.org

(American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5):

http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx

(Highlights of changes from DSM-IV to DSM-5): http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/changes%20from%20dsm-iv-tr%20to%20dsm-5.pdf


About DIT Production Team

The Doctors In Training Production Team, including Chief Educators Mike McInnis MD and Chris Lewis MD as well as a staff of physicians and healthcare professionals, creates the DIT USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1 and USMLE Step 2 CK/ COMLEX Level 2 Review Courses and Solid Series videos.

2 Responses to “How Will the DSM-5 Changes Affect Future USMLE Examinations?”

  1. Patricia Friederich says:

    I am having trouble finding a good book resource that looks at DSM-5 diagnosis for the shelf exam. Any ideas?

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