Is interruption in residency training associated with a change in in-training examination scores?
BACKGROUND
Many military physicians interrupt their training to serve in the position of general medical officer (GMO) after completing their first year of postgraduate medical education. This study compares American Board of Family Practice In-training Examination (ITE) scores of military family practice residents who received continuous training (CFP residents) with those who did GMO tours (GMO residents).


METHODS
Historical cohorts of CFP and GMO residents from Army and Navy family practice residencies were compared. The dependent measures were their ITE scores in each year of training. Paired data were analyzed using the Student's test.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in composite or clinical problem set scores between GMO and CFP resident groups. Power to detect a true difference between the groups was 74.


CONCLUSIONS
Interruption in residency training is not associated with a significant change in the returning resident's ITE scores.
Ellis
D D
DD
Department of Family Practice, Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Ft Sill, Okla, USA.
Kiser
W R
WR
Blount
W
W
D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D014481:United States