Analysis of Performance Trends from 2010–2019 on the American Board of Internal Medicine Nephrology Certifying Exam

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 2714-2723
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S. Berns ◽  
Weifeng Weng ◽  
Bernard G. Jaar ◽  
Rebecca S. Lipner ◽  
Bradley G. Brossman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Exam Performance ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Fellowship Program ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fellowship Programs

BackgroundThe pass rate on the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) nephrology certifying exam has declined and is among the lowest of all internal medicine (IM) subspecialties. In recent years, there have also been fewer applicants for the nephrology fellowship match.MethodsThis retrospective observational study assessed how changes between 2010 and 2019 in characteristics of 4094 graduates of US ACGME-accredited nephrology fellowship programs taking the ABIM nephrology certifying exam for the first time, and how characteristics of their fellowship programs were associated with exam performance. The primary outcome measure was performance on the nephrology certifying exam. Fellowship program pass rates over the decade were also studied.ResultsLower IM certifying exam score, older age, female sex, international medical graduate (IMG) status, and having trained at a smaller nephrology fellowship program were associated with poorer nephrology certifying exam performance. The mean IM certifying exam percentile score among those who subsequently took the nephrology certifying exam decreased from 56.7 (SD, 27.9) to 46.1 (SD, 28.7) from 2010 to 2019. When examining individuals with comparable IM certifying exam performance, IMGs performed less well than United States medical graduates (USMGs) on the nephrology certifying exam. In 2019, only 57% of nephrology fellowship programs had aggregate 3-year certifying exam pass rates ≥80% among their graduates.ConclusionsChanges in IM certifying exam performance, certain trainee demographics, and poorer performance among those from smaller fellowship programs explain much of the decline in nephrology certifying exam performance. IM certifying exam performance was the dominant determinant.

A Framework for Understanding International Medical Graduate Challenges During Transition Into Fellowship Programs

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjeev Sockalingam ◽  
Attia Khan ◽  
Adrienne Tan ◽  
Raed Hawa ◽  
Susan Abbey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Fellowship Programs

scholarly journals Novel Formative Approach of the ESAP-ITE Provides Strong Predictive Value for ABIM Certification Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William B Horton ◽  
James T Patrie ◽  
Lauren M Duhigg ◽  
Maggie Graham ◽  
Mark W True ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Fellowship Training ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Fellowship Program ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Certification Examination ◽  
Questions And Answers ◽  
Fellowship Programs

Abstract Background The Endocrine Self-Assessment Program In-Training Examination (ESAP-ITE) has the novel formative approach of allowing open access to all questions and answers after secure exam administration is complete, resulting in the creation of an entirely new in-training examination annually. Objective To determine whether scores on the novel ESAP-ITE predict pass/fail outcomes on the American Board of Internal Medicine-Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism Certification Examination (ABIM-ECE). Methods All endocrine fellows-in-training who took the ESAP-ITE between 2016 and 2019 and then subsequently attempted the ABIM-ECE within the same calendar year were included (n=982). Primary analyses utilized the ESAP-ITE score from the final year of fellowship training. Covariates included sex, age on date of ABIM-ECE, medical school country, fellowship program region, pass/fail outcomes on the ABIM Internal Medicine Certification Examination, and ESAP-ITE score. All variables were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Results ESAP-ITE score (p<0.001), ABIM Internal Medicine Certification Examination outcome (p<0.001), and age (p=0.005) were each significant predictors of passing the ABIM-ECE on the first attempt. ESAP-ITE score was the strongest predictor of passing the ABIM-ECE, and this relationship was such that a score of 75% correct yielded a 97% probability of passing the ABIM-ECE, whereas a score of 50% correct generated only a 70% probability of doing so. Sex, fellowship program region, and medical school country were not significant predictors of ABIM-ECE outcomes. Conclusions In addition to serving as an important learning instrument for endocrine fellowship programs, ESAP-ITE is a robust predictive tool for pass/fail outcomes on the ABIM-ECE.

scholarly journals Workforce education issues for international medical graduate specialists in anaesthesia

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niall S. Higgins ◽  
Kersi Taraporewalla ◽  
Michael Steyn ◽  
Rajesh Brijball ◽  
Marcus Watson
Keyword(s):  
Workforce Planning ◽  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
Workforce Education ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Education Support

International medical graduate (IMG) specialists in anaesthesia need education to be part of the assessment process for pre-registration college fellowship. Fellowship of the anaesthetic college is required in Australia for registration as a specialist in this field. Marked differences exist between local trainees and IMG specialists in terms of training, stakes of the exam and isolation of practice. We have examined the reasons for the low pass rate for IMG specialists compared to the local trainees in the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) final fellowship examinations. We also offer an IMG specialists’ view of this perceived problem. It highlights their difficulties in obtaining adequate supervision and education. What is known about the topic?There has been a worldwide shortage of doctors over the last decade. In Australia this shortage has been attributed to government policy in the 1990s limiting the number of medical school places. Other factors that may have contributed to this shortage are changes in the practice of medicine, increasing specialisation, growth in population and patterns of population settlement at the coastal fringes of Australia. The use of international medical graduates and reliance on them is associated with several problems and challenges. A key factor relates to their performance at a standard acceptable to the country. What does the paper add?This paper offers an examination of the issues that present to IMG specialists located at rural and remote areas of Australia. The global aim of this study is to understand the workforce education issues that present to IMG specialists as a basis for supporting this group, having migrated to Australia, to better prepare for assessment of their practice in this country. Results of a survey of IMG specialists in Anaesthesia are included to contribute to an overall view. It highlights their understanding of the issues that present when preparing for specialist assessments. What are the implications for practitioners?This information will be useful for policy practitioners who determine critical elements that influence workforce planning and education support. Decision makers will be able to make more informed decisions on the need to integrate education into planning for workforce efficiencies. There are currently no published data explaining why the pass rate for IMG specialist in anaesthesia is so different from local trainees and this paper also offers a viewpoint of present issues from those who are attempting these examinations.

scholarly journals Assessing Content of Accredited Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship Websites: Is there Adequate Information for Applicants?

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482110562
Author(s):  
Hossam Abdou ◽  
Ace St John ◽  
Andrea C. Bafford ◽  
Natalia S. Kubicki ◽  
Sarah Kidd-Romero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rectal Surgery ◽  
Pass Rate ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Colon And Rectal Surgery ◽  
Fellowship Program ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Information Program ◽  
Fellowship Programs ◽  
Program Description ◽  
Available Information

Electronic information is a vital resource used by fellowship applicants. This study aimed to assess the completeness of colon and rectal surgery (CRS) fellowship program online information. Program information on the Association of Program Directors for Colon and Rectal Surgery (APDCRS) website as well as each institutional website was evaluated based on templated criteria. Sixty-eight accredited fellowship programs were identified. Six (9%) programs had complete profiles on the APDCRS platform, with an average of 3.5 details completed per program. Sixty-two (91%) websites were easily accessible. None of these contained all 28 criteria assessed and 47 (69%) contained less than half of assessed content. The most common data point was fellowship program description (96%), while board pass rate (1%) was the least common. Most CRS fellowship websites were grossly incomplete. Electronically available information is vital to fellowship applicants, and programs should try to provide easily accessible information about their program.

Improving Communication Skills in Health Care

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-117
Author(s):  
Lynda Katz Wilner ◽  
Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
International Medical Graduate ◽  
Medical Graduate ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Medical Interpreters ◽  
Accent Modification

Hospital reimbursements are linked to patient satisfaction surveys, which are directly related to interpersonal communication between provider and patient. In today’s health care environment, interactions are challenged by diversity — Limited English proficient (LEP) patients, medical interpreters, International Medical Graduate (IMG) physicians, nurses, and support staff. Accent modification training for health care professionals can improve patient satisfaction and reduce adverse events. Surveys were conducted with medical interpreters and trainers of medical interpreting programs to determine the existence and support for communication skills training, particularly accent modification, for interpreters and non-native English speaking medical professionals. Results of preliminary surveys suggest the need for these comprehensive services. 60.8% believed a heavy accent, poor diction, or a different dialect contributed to medical errors or miscommunication by a moderate to significant degree. Communication programs should also include cultural competency training to optimize patient care outcomes. Examples of strategies for training are included.

Do Accounting Faculty Characteristics Impact CPA Exam Performance? An Investigation of Nearly 700,000 Examinations

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis M. Bline ◽  
Stephen Perreault ◽  
Xiaochuan Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Exam Performance ◽  
Faculty Research ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Accounting Faculty ◽  
Research And Teaching ◽  
Faculty Characteristics ◽  
Cpa Exam ◽  
Faculty Research Productivity ◽  
And Performance ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT While many colleges and universities publicize CPA examination pass rates as evidence of having a high-quality accounting program, some have questioned whether program-specific characteristics are legitimate predictors of examination success. To examine this issue, we empirically investigate the link between accounting faculty characteristics and performance on the CPA examination. We examine the results from nearly 700,000 first-time exam sittings taken during the period 2005–2013 and find that faculty research and teaching specialization has a significant impact on CPA exam performance. That is, when a program has a relatively higher percentage of accounting faculty with expertise in a particular content area tested on the exam (e.g., auditing), graduates achieve higher scores on the related exam section (e.g., AUD). We also find that faculty research productivity and CPA certification status are positively related to candidate exam performance. We believe these results contribute to the existing literature on the determinants of CPA exam success and also provide important insights to those responsible for accounting faculty staffing and development.

scholarly journals Interventions to reduce sickness absence among healthcare workers: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162
Author(s):  
Laura Simmons ◽  
Arwel W. Jones ◽  
Niro Siriwardena ◽  
Christopher Bridle
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multicomponent Intervention

Purpose Sickness absence is a major concern for healthcare services and their employees with healthcare workers having higher sickness absence rates compared to the general population. The purpose of this paper is to systematically review randomised control trials (RCTs) that aimed to reduce sickness absence among healthcare workers. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review was conducted that aimed to include RCTs with study participants who were employed in any part of the healthcare sector. This review included any type of intervention with the primary outcome measure being sickness absence. Findings Seven studies were included in the review and consisted of one exercise-only intervention, three multicomponent intervention programmes, two influenza vaccination interventions and one process consultation. Three studies (exercise-only, one multicomponent intervention programme and one influenza vaccination intervention) were able to demonstrate a reduction in sickness absence compared to control. Research limitations/implications Due to the lack of high-quality evidence, this review identified that there are currently no interventions that healthcare organisations are able to use to effectively reduce sickness absence among their employees. This review also highlights the importance of a standardised measure of sickness absence for healthcare staff, such as shifts. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic review to synthesise such evidence among healthcare workers.

scholarly journals Out-of-Match Residency Offers: The Possible Extent and Implications of Prematching in Graduate Medical Education

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert V. Wetz ◽  
Charles B. Seelig ◽  
Georges Khoueiry ◽  
Kera F. Weiserbs
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
United States ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Medical Education ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Spearman Rank ◽  
Fellowship Programs ◽  
Career Preferences

Abstract Background When the data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) are used to analyze trends in medical students' career preferences, positions offered outside the match are omitted. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the extent and nature of out-of-match residency offers. Methods We obtained total resident complements and postgraduate year-1 positions offered in 7 specialties in 2007 and compared these with the 2007 NRMP match data. We compared the percentage of positions offered outside the match to “success” in matching United States medical doctors (USMDs) and to the availability of fellowship positions, using the Spearman rank order test (SROT). Results A total of 18 030 postgraduate year-1 positions were offered in 9 specialty areas. Of 15 205 positions offered in the match, 54% were taken by USMDs. The percentage of outside-the-match offers was found to vary by specialty, from 7% in obstetrics-gynecology to 23% in internal medicine, and was inversely correlated with the specialty's “success” in matching USMDs (SROT  =  −0.87). The 3 nonprocedural primary care specialties (internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics) accounted for 10 091 (46.2%) of the 21 845 total positions offered in the match, with 4401 (43.6%) offered almost entirely to non-USMDs. Another 2467 positions were offered outside the match, resulting in 6868 positions offered to non-USMDs (55% of all primary care positions). In internal medicine, the percentage of outside-the-match offers was significantly and inversely associated with the availability of intrainstitutional fellowship programs (P < .0001). Prematching of independent applicants was significantly higher in primary care than in procedural-lifestyle programs (P < .0001). Conclusion The NRMP's match data do not account for positions filled outside the match, a finding that appears to be significant. In 2007, 1 in 5 positions in primary care was offered outside the match.

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