title: Improving resident performance on standardized assessments of medical knowledge: a retrospective analysis of interventions correlated to American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination performance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  American Board of Surgery In-Service Training Examination (ABSITE) scores are used to assess individual progress and predict board pass rates. We reviewed strategies to enhance ABSITE performance and their impact within a surgery residency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Several interventions were introduced from 2010 to 2014. A retrospective review was undertaken evaluating these and correlating them to ABSITE performance. Analyses of variance and linear trends were performed for ABSITE, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLEs), mock oral, and mock ABSITE scores followed by post hoc analyses if significant. Results were correlated with core curricular changes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ABSITE mean percentile increased 34% in 4 years with significant performance improvement and increasing linear trends in postgraduate year (PGY)1 and PGY4 ABSITE scores. Mock ABSITE introduction correlated to significant improvement in ABSITE scores for PGY4 and PGY5. Mock oral introduction correlated with significant improvement in PGY1 and PGY3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates an improvement in mean program ABSITE percentiles correlating with multiple interventions. Similar strategies may be useful for other programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19638, Springfield, IL 62794, USA. Electronic address: ejcbuckley@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elaine Jayne
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19638, Springfield, IL 62794, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Markwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Debb
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farr
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19638, Springfield, IL 62794, USA.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sanfey
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19638, Springfield, IL 62794, USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mellinger
mesh_terms: D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003406:Credentialing; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States
keywords: ABS qualifying exam; ABSITE performance; Core curriculum; General surgery residency; USMLE