scholarly journals 191 Performance at Medical School and Foundation Programme Selection Can Predict Success in The MRCS Examination

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ellis ◽  
D Scrimgeour ◽  
P Brennan ◽  
A Lee ◽  
J Cleland

Abstract Background Identifying factors that predict success in the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination can aid trainees’ exam preparation and help deaneries identify candidates likely to require additional support. We assessed whether performance at Medical School and UK Foundation Programme selection (Educational Performance Measurement (EPM) and Situational Judgement Test (SJT)) predicted MRCS success. Method We analysed data from the UKMED Database for UK graduates who had attempted MRCS Part A (n = 1,975) and Part B (n = 630) between 2013-2017. Univariate analysis examined the relationship between performance and the likelihood of passing MRCS at first attempt. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of MRCS success. Results Each additional EPM decile increased the chances of passing MRCS by 52% for Part A (odds ratio 1.52 [95% confidence interval 1.46-1.60]) and 27% for Part B (1.27 [1.18-1.38]). Each EPM point awarded for degrees increased the likelihood of passing Part A by 29% (1.29 [1.12-1.48]). SJT score was not a statistically significant independent predictor of MRCS success (P>0.05). Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the relationship between UK medical school performance and postgraduate surgical exam success. Higher ranked students are more likely to succeed in the MRCS compared to their lower ranked peers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricky Ellis ◽  
Duncan Scrimgeour ◽  
Jennifer Cleland ◽  
Amanda Lee ◽  
Peter Brennan

Abstract Aims Identifying predictors of success in post-graduate examinations can help guide the career choices of medical students and may aid early identification of trainees requiring extra support to progress in specialty training. We assessed whether performance at medical school as quantified by the Educational Performance Measurement (EPM) and scores from the Situational Judgement Test (SJT) used for selection into Foundation Training predicted success at the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination. Methods We analysed data from the UKMED Database for UK graduates who had attempted MRCS Part A (n = 1,975) and Part B n = 630) between 2013-2017. Univariate analysis examined the relationship between performance and the likelihood of passing MRCS at first-attempt. Logistic regression identified independent predictors of MRCS success. Results For every additional EPM decile point gained the chances of passing MRCS at first attempt increased by 52% for Part A (odds ratio 1.52 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-1.60]) and 27% for Part B (1.27 [1.18-1.38]). For every point awarded for additional degrees in the EPM, candidates were 29% more likely to pass MRCS Part A first time (1.29 [1.12-1.48]). SJT score was not a statistically significant independent predictor of MRCS Part A or Part B success after adjusting for sociodemographic factors (P = 0.182 and P = 0.125 respectively). Conclusions This, the first study to investigate the relationship between medical school and success at a high stakes UK postgraduate surgical examination found that medical school performance deciles are the most significant measure of predicting later success in the MRCS.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e046615
Author(s):  
Ricky Ellis ◽  
Duncan S G Scrimgeour ◽  
Peter A Brennan ◽  
Amanda J Lee ◽  
Jennifer Cleland

BackgroundIdentifying predictors of success in postgraduate examinations can help guide the career choices of medical students and may aid early identification of trainees requiring extra support to progress in specialty training. We assessed whether performance on the educational performance measurement (EPM) and situational judgement test (SJT) used for selection into foundation training predicted success at the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination.MethodsThis was a longitudinal, cohort study using data from the UK Medical Education Database (https://www.ukmed.ac.uk). UK medical graduates who had attempted Part A (n=2585) and Part B (n=755) of the MRCS between 2014 and 2017 were included. χ2 and independent t-tests were used to examine the relationship between medical school performance and sociodemographic factors with first-attempt success at MRCS Part A and B. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify independent predictors of MRCS performance.ResultsThe odds of passing MRCS increased by 55% for Part A (OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.48 to 1.61)) and 23% for Part B (1.23 (1.14 to 1.32)) for every additional EPM decile point gained. For every point awarded for additional degrees in the EPM, candidates were 20% more likely to pass MRCS Part A (1.20 (1.13 to 1.29)) and 17% more likely to pass Part B (1.17 (1.04 to 1.33)). For every point awarded for publications in the EPM, candidates were 14% more likely to pass MRCS Part A (1.14 (1.01 to 1.28)). SJT score was not a statistically significant independent predictor of MRCS success.ConclusionThis study has demonstrated the EPM’s independent predictive power and found that medical school performance deciles are the most significant measure of predicting later success in the MRCS. These findings can be used by medical schools, training boards and workforce planners to inform evidence-based and contemporary selection and assessment strategies.


Author(s):  
David Metcalfe ◽  
Harveer Dev

The Improving Selection to the Foundation Programme (ISFP) project does not believe that it is possible to be ‘coached’ through the SJT. This is generally true. Knowing the ‘right thing to do’ in any given situation is a matter of internalized values and intuition. However, no one seriously accepts that candidates are born with a fixed level of situational judgement. This is clearly something that develops over time and therefore can change. In addition, the SJT does not set out to test your values but whether you understand the values and attitudes expected of an FY1 doctor. This is why you are instructed to answer questions as you ‘should’, not as you ‘would’. The principles on which foundation doctors should base their behaviour are learnt and internalized throughout medical school. However, knowledge of these principles can clearly be learnt in the same way as any other part of the medical school curriculum. Most final- year medical students are satisfied with the FY1 posts to which they are allocated. For 2017 entry, 74% were appointed to their firstchoice foundation school, and 94% to one of their top five preferences. Those who were not initially pleased often look back in retrospect and are satisfied with their allocations. Your score on the SJT is unlikely to make or break your career. However, the same can be said of medical school finals. You will almost certainly pass finals— upwards of 95% of final- year students do so— and your ultimate career destination is unlikely to hinge on your cumulative examination score. But this is not a reason to go into finals unprepared. The truth is that every point on the SJT, as in finals, could mean the difference between your chosen outcome and something different. A point lost on the SJT could result in your leaving your first- choice foundation school and moving across the country for work, or not having a high enough score to capture your chosen specialty as a Foundation Programme rotation. Increasing competition for FY1 posts means that not everyone can be appointed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricky Ellis ◽  
Peter Brennan ◽  
Jennifer Cleland ◽  
Amanda Lee ◽  
Duncan Scrimgeour

Abstract Aims Selection into UK medical school involves a combination of three measures: prior academic attainment, selection tests (e.g. the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT), Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), or Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)) followed by interview. We investigated the predictive power of current UK medical selection tests and measures of prior attainment on success in the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination. Methods The UKMED database was used to analyse A-Levels and medical school selection data for all UK graduates who attempted the MRCS Part A written examination (n = 9729) and Part B clinical examination (n = 4644) between 2007 and 2017. Univariate analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients examined the relationship between selection scores and first attempt MRCS success. Results Successful MRCS Part A candidates scored higher in A-Levels, UCAT, BMAT and GAMSAT examinations (p < 0.05) than their unsuccessful peers, but no differences were observed for MRCS Part B. Statistically significant positive correlation was found between MRCS Part A, BMAT (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and GAMSAT scores (r = 0.35, p = <0.001). While a weaker statistically significant correlation was found between Part A, A-Level (r = 0.14, p < 0.001) and UCAT scores (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Conclusions This, the first study to investigate the relationship between all UK medical school selection tests and success in a postgraduate examination found statistically significant correlations between selection test scores and performance on Part A of the MRCS. The strength of correlations found in this study are similar to those of other validated selection tests used in the United States.


Author(s):  
David Metcalfe ◽  
Harveer Dev

Returning for a third edition, Oxford Assess and Progress: Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is THE definitive guide for students preparing to sit the Situational Judgement Test for entry into the UK Foundation Programme. This authoritative book, mapped to the Foundation Programme curriculum and GMC guidance, includes over 285 practice questions to help you maximize your SJT score. Fully revised and updated, this third edition provides over 285 questions and high-quality feedback that has been developed to clarify the ranking of every answer option, not just the correct one. All scenarios are based on real experiences informed by practising doctors and medical students who have sat the SJT to ensure that the questions closely mirror the content of the real exam. Two mock tests allow candidates to prepare for exam day and practice their timings - one of the biggest challenges in the exam. Written by consultants, this authoritative guide demystifies the SJT, allowing you to achieve the best possible score and take control of the first stage of your medical career.


Author(s):  
Alejandro Mosiño ◽  
Karen P. Villagómez-Estrada ◽  
Alberto Prieto-Patrón

In school age children and adolescents, anemia might cause lower cognitive function and attention span, which in turn could diminish human capital accumulation. As children born in low-income households are more likely to be anemic, this may prevent many individuals from overcoming the intergenerational poverty traps. In this paper, we used data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012 and focused on a sample of adolescents between 12 and 19 years of age to study the relationship between attending school without delay—our proxy for school performance—and anemia. We found a statistically significant association between the two variables. If this relationship is causal, the economic burden linked to the loss of school years could well exceed the costs associated with programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of anemia in vulnerable populations. Our results provide additional support to the existing literature on anemia as a significant barrier to school achievement.


Author(s):  
Jaime C. Auton ◽  
Mark W. Wiggins ◽  
Daniel Sturman

Within high-risk operational environments, expertise has typically been associated with a greater capacity to extract and utilize task-relevant visual cues during situation assessment. However, a limitation of this literature is its exclusive focus on operators’ use of visual cues, even though cues from other modalities (such as auditory cues) are frequently engaged during this assessment process. Arguably, if the capacity for cue utilization is an underlying skill, those operators who have a greater capacity to use visual cues would also have developed a more nuanced repertoire of non-visual cues. Within the context of electricity distribution control, the current study recruited network operators ( N=89) from twelve Australian Distributed Network Service Providers. Using an online experimental platform, participants’ visual cue utilization was assessed using an online situational judgement test (EXPERTise 2.0). Participants also completed the Auditory Readback Task which assessed their capacity to utilize various auditory cues (namely, final rising intonation, fillers, readback accuracy) when recognising nonunderstandings. The results showed a partial relationship between operator capacity for visual and auditory cue utilization. The outcomes of the current research have practical implications for the design of cue-based training interventions to increase the recognition of communication-related errors within distributed environments.


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