Presentation Description
Clarisse Chu1,2
Rehena Ganguly2, Neville Teo1,2 and Abhilash Balakrishnan1,2
1 Singapore General Hospital
2 Duke-NUS Medical School
Rehena Ganguly2, Neville Teo1,2 and Abhilash Balakrishnan1,2
1 Singapore General Hospital
2 Duke-NUS Medical School
Background:
The ACGME-I Singapore Otorhinolaryngology residency programme started in 2011 and our first Exit MCQ Examinations were held at the end of the fourth year of residency, in 2015. Residents in both Singapore and the US take the same OTE annually. Otorhinolaryngology residents in Singapore take the OTE in their first to fourth years of the five-year residency programme. In contrast, the Exit MCQ Examination, co-administered by the American Board of Medical Specialties, is a local examination that is different from the US Board Examinations.
The ACGME-I Singapore Otorhinolaryngology residency programme started in 2011 and our first Exit MCQ Examinations were held at the end of the fourth year of residency, in 2015. Residents in both Singapore and the US take the same OTE annually. Otorhinolaryngology residents in Singapore take the OTE in their first to fourth years of the five-year residency programme. In contrast, the Exit MCQ Examination, co-administered by the American Board of Medical Specialties, is a local examination that is different from the US Board Examinations.
Multiple specialties have described a positive association between in-training examination and final board MCQ examination pass rates.1,2 Our study aims to demonstrate that OTE scores can be used to predict performance in our local Exit MCQ Examination.
Summary of Work:
A retrospective review was performed of all 24 otorhinolaryngology residents who entered and took the Exit MCQ Examination at a single institution’s residency programme between 2016 to 2023.
A retrospective review was performed of all 24 otorhinolaryngology residents who entered and took the Exit MCQ Examination at a single institution’s residency programme between 2016 to 2023.
Results:
75% (18/24) passed the Exit MCQ Examination in their first sitting. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed lower OTE stanines in the fourth year of residency was significantly associated with failing the Exit MCQ Examination.
75% (18/24) passed the Exit MCQ Examination in their first sitting. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed lower OTE stanines in the fourth year of residency was significantly associated with failing the Exit MCQ Examination.
Youden’s index showed attaining an OTE stanine <4 in the fourth year of residency training was most associated with failing the Exit MCQ Examination.
Discussion:
OTE scores may be a better predictor of Exit MCQ performance in the fourth year of residency. Optimal OTE score targets for each year of residency were established.
OTE scores may be a better predictor of Exit MCQ performance in the fourth year of residency. Optimal OTE score targets for each year of residency were established.
Conclusion:
Our findings will facilitate the identification of residents at risk of performing poorly in the final Exit MCQ Examination, such that remediation measures can be instituted early.
Our findings will facilitate the identification of residents at risk of performing poorly in the final Exit MCQ Examination, such that remediation measures can be instituted early.
Take Home Message: The OTE serves as an important goalpost for resident learning as they work towards specialist accreditation.
References (maximum three)
- Rayamajhi S, Dhakal P, Wang L, Rai MP, Shrotriya S. Do USMLE steps, and ITE score predict the American Board of Internal Medicine Certifying Exam results? BMC Med Educ. 2020;20(1):79.
- Puscas L. Junior otolaryngology resident in-service exams predict written board exam passage. Laryngoscope. 2019;129(1):124-128.