Faculty Collaboration Database

The utility of mock oral examinations in preparation for the American Board of Surgery certifying examination. Am J Surg 2016 Feb;211(2):416-20

Date

12/22/2015

Pubmed ID

26686905

DOI

10.1016/j.amjsurg.2015.09.008

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84955659211 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   15 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Determine the utility of mock oral examinations in preparation for the American Board of Surgery certifying examination (ABS CE).

METHODS: Between 2002 and 2012, blinded data were collected on 63 general surgery residents: 4th and 5th-year mock oral examination scores, first-time pass rates on ABS CE, and an online survey.

RESULTS: Fifty-seven residents took the 4th-year mock oral examination: 30 (52.6%) passed and 27 (47.4%) failed, with first-time ABS CE pass rates 93.3% and 81.5% (P = .238). Fifty-nine residents took the 5th-year mock oral examination: 28 (47.5%) passed and 31 (52.5%) failed, with first-time ABS CE pass rates 82.1% and 93.5% (P = .240). Thirty-eight responded to the online survey, 77.1% ranked mock oral examinations as very or extremely helpful with ABS CE preparation.

CONCLUSIONS: Although mock oral examinations and ABS CE passing rates do not directly correlate, residents perceive the mock oral examinations to be helpful.

Author List

Higgins RM, Deal RA, Rinewalt D, Hollinger EF, Janssen I, Poirier J, Austin D, Rendina M, Francescatti A, Myers JA, Millikan KW, Luu MB

Author

Rana Higgins MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Attitude of Health Personnel
Certification
Educational Measurement
General Surgery
Humans
Internship and Residency
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States