title: ABR Core examination preparation: results of a survey of fourth-year radiology residents who took the 2013 examination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A survey was administered to fourth-year radiology residents after receiving their results from the first American Board of Radiology (ABR) Core examination in 2013. The purpose was to gather information regarding resources and study strategies to share with program directors and future resident classes.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was distributed to examinees nationwide. The survey included free-response and multiple choice questions that covered examination results, perceived value of enumerated study resources, case-based and didactic teaching conferences, board reviews, study materials for noninterpretive skills, multidisciplinary conference attendance, and free-form comments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred sixty-six of 1186 residents who took the Core examination responded to the survey. Some resources demonstrated a significant difference in perceived value between residents who passed the examination and residents who failed, including internal board reviews (1.10, P < .01), daily didactic conferences (1.51, P < .01), and daily case conferences (1.43, P < .01). Residents who passed reported that conferences and review sessions at their institutions were modified with multiple choice questions, audience response, and integration of clinical physics and patient safety topics compared to residents who failed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiology residents and residency programs have adapted their preparations for the ABR Core examination in a variety of ways. Certain practices and study tools, including daily conferences and internal board reviews, had greater perceived value by residents who passed the examination than by residents who failed. This survey provides insights that can be used to assess and modify current preparation strategies for the ABR Core examination.
authors.affiliation: Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 South Kingshighway Boulevard, Campus Box 8131, Saint Louis, MO 63110. Electronic address: shettya@mir.wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Anup S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida.
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Grajo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida.
authors.forename: Summer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
authors.forename: Darel E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Heitkamp
authors.affiliation: University of Vermont Medical Group/Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, Vermont.
authors.forename: Kristen K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: DeStigter
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan.
authors.forename: Duane G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mezwa
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deitte
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States
keywords: American Board of Radiology; core examination; fourth year residents; survey