New Trends at 25 Years: An American Board of Surgery Academic Certifying Examination Review Course

Journal of Surgical Education
Pamela A RowlandKennith H Sartorelli

Abstract

In the 1980s, a small research group began identifying variables affecting applicant success on the American Board of Surgery (ABS) Certifying Examination (CE). We now report success and trends as we complete 25 years. We had multiple challenges as identified through faculty focus groups and participant feedback that needed to be addressed: increase the national optics of the program, integrate new innovative experiences, maintain the integrity of the collected data on excel files, incorporate national trends in surgery, attract experienced clinical volunteer faculty and staff, security of capital, and schedule management. The primary purpose of the program is to define the root cause interfering with success on the ABS CE. All of the listed changes in course design (2012-2016) were entered into excel files along with participants demographics, including results of the pretesting modules, the communication inventory, all self-reported stressors, and interview results to track the effect of faculty interventions, trends and ABS outcomes. The profiles of the participants have changed over time, including: marital status, presence of DSM-5 stressors, gender, fellowship training, study habits, financial burdens, and international g...Continue Reading

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