Measuring surgical skill and proclivity in ophthalmology residency training program applicants using the American Dental Association Dental Admission (Sample) Test (DAT).
OBJECTIVE
To determine if typical DAT perceptual ability questions which are used to determine potential surgical skills in dental school applicants also do so for surgical ability for eye surgery.


METHODS
The subjects were all applicants for admission into the Ophthalmology Residency Training Program at the University of Florida. All applicants answered 11 questions from the "Perceptual Ability" section of the DAT. Their answers were neither reviewed nor scored at the time they took the test but were sealed and set aside. After completing the 3 year training program, each of fifteen consecutive trainees was scored by five masked faculty members for their surgical skill. Their tests were unsealed and scored. Data were obtained on 15 applicants.


RESULTS
There was a [Good] positive correlation between masked faculty surgical skill scores and DAT scores: r= +0.58, p < or -0.02.


CONCLUSIONS
DAT perceptual ability questions do indicate candidates with best innate and potential eye surgical skills.
Romano
Paul E
PE
Department of Ophthalkmology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
D000571:American Dental Association; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States