Relationships of training examination results and patient load to certifying examination results in a Surgery residency training

  • Mauro III Corpuz Bravo Davao Regional Hospital, Democrito O Plaza Memorial Hospital, San Francisco Doctors Hospital
  • Bernardo Ang Davao Regional Hospital

Abstract

Background. In the Philippines, Surgery residents-in-training are assessed annually for proficiency through residency in-service training examinations (RITE). Specialty certification, however, is contingent upon the results of the Surgery Certifying Examinations (SCE).


Objective. To determine the relationships of Surgery residents' annual RITE performance and patient load with the results of their written and oral SCE.


Design. Retrospective cohort study.


Setting. Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, Philippines.


Participants. Thirty-eight residents who graduated from the Mindanao Integrated Surgical Residency Training Program (MISRTP) and took the SCE in 2000-2012.


Main outcome measures. Mean percentage of RITE passed, mean annual patient load per resident, SCE performance, and odds ratios (95% CI) of passing the SCE.


Main results. Resident physicians passed 76.32 ± 18.48% of the RITE that they took, and performed a mean of 441 ± 52 surgical operations per resident per training year. Passing rates on first attempt were 25/38 (65.79%) for written SCE and 13/24 (54.17%) for oral SCE. Passing ≥75% of the total number of RITE significantly increased the odds ratio of passing the written SCE (OR=24.44, 95% CI 4.18 to 142.95, p=0.0004), but not the odds ratio of passing the oral SCE. Having a higher than average patient load did not significantly change the odds ratio of passing any SCE.


Conclusion.Good performance in the RITE increased the odds ratio of passing the written, but not the oral, SCE. Patient load did not significantly affect the odds ratios of passing the written or oral SCE.

Published
Nov 5, 2015
Section
Research

Keywords

specialty certification; proficiency assessment; written examination; oral examination