Pediatric Board Review Course for Residents “at Risk”

• Published in: Clinical Pediatrics 2010-05, Vol.49 (5), p.450-456
• Main Authors: Aeder, Lita, Fogel, Joshua, Schaeffer, Henry
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Certification; Certification - methods; Certification - standards; Clinical Competence; Curriculum; Education, Medical, Graduate - methods; Education, Medical, Graduate - standards; Educational Measurement; Female; Humans; Internship and Residency - methods; Licensure, Medical; Male; Pediatrics; Pediatrics - education; Programmed instruction; Review boards; Risk; Specialty Boards; Tests; United States
• ISSN: 0009-9228; 1938-2707
• DOI: 10.1177/0009922809352679

Objective: There is a correlation between American Board of Pediatrics In-Training and General Pediatrics Certifying Examination scores. A course targeted mainly for residents “at-risk” based on in-training scores may improve the outcome of the certification exam. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of a board review course on pediatric board certification scores, particularly for residents at-risk. Methods: Residents “at-risk” taking the course (Yes) were compared to residents not taking the course who were not at-risk (No) as well as to a cohort of residents predating the onset of the course with mixed risk (Comparison). Analyses compared board exam scores and passing rates in the three groups and in the subcategory of residents who scored ≤300 on the in-training exam in each group. Results: Standard scores and pass rates were higher for the residents not at risk, middle for residents of mixed risk and lowest for residents at risk. When analyzing the subset of scores for those with in-training score of