title: [Performance on the Board of Pediatrics certification examination by the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría, 2001-2010].
abstract: Professional certification guarantees professional's performance, but the examination tool must be periodically evaluated.
  
  
  
  To describe the result of the pediatric certifying examination (PCE) of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría (SAP), between 2001-2010 analyzing the impact of the age and the elapsed time since the graduation and to describe the performance of training institutions in this period.
  
  
  
  Cross-section study. Data were obtained from the records of Board of Pediatrics of the SAP. The results of the PCE, were analyzed assessing examination pass rate and training institutions (2001-2010), and age and elapsed time since graduation of the examined professionals (2001-2005).
  
  
  
  Of 2527 professionals from 138 institutions, 69.6% passed. Those that passed were younger (31.7 ± 4.1 vs. 35.6 ± 6.2 years; p <0.0001) and had less years since graduation (6.3 ± 4.0 vs. 9.0 ± 5.9; p <0.0001) than those who did not pass. The examination pass rate was higher in institutions accredited by SAP (78.4% vs. 48.8%; OR= 3,8 IC95%= 3,1-4,7; p <0.001). The pass rate was significantly higher in institutions with accredited programs for 5 years than those not accredited (78.4% vs. 48.8%, OR= 3.8 95% CI= 3.1 to 4.7, p <0.001). The pass rate at accredited institutions for 3 years (53.7%) and 1 year (48.7%) showed no statistically significant differences with non-accredited institutions.
  
  
  
  The certifying examination pass rate was 68.5%. Younger professionals with fewer years since graduation, and trained in SAP 5 years accredited programs were significantly more likely to pass the examination.
authors.affiliation: Subcomisión de Acreditación de Residencias, Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría, Argentina. fferrero@intramed.net
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrero
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yulitta
authors.forename: María Paz
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Molina
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina; D002568:Certification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012955:Societies, Medical