Determining Predictors of Success on the American board of Anesthesiology Written Certification Examination

The purpose of this research is to determine what, if any, relationship exists between In-Training Exams (ITE) given during the second, third, and fourth years of anesthesiology residency training and first attempt performance on Part One of the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) Certification Examination (CE). Additionally, several trainee variables available to program directors, to include gender, medical degree, medical school, and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2 scores, will be analyzed to determine if a predictive relationship exists between any variable(s) and the Part One CE. Residency programs must demonstrate to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Residency Review Committee (RRC) that at least 70% of residency graduates become board certified. Accordingly, it is important for program leadership to know if a predictive relationship exists between any combination of independent variables -- specifically, if any one year of the ITE is more predictive than others. Furthermore, the ITE is frequently used as a measurement tool to satisfy the ACGME competency of measuring and assessing each resident's medical knowledge. Results from this study can help residency program directors and residents to focus study efforts and place an appropriate level of emphasis to prepare for these high-stakes examinations. This research will add to the base of knowledge in which there is currently a gap as it relates to which categorical anesthesiology year's ITE is the most predictive of eventual performance on the written examination component of the board certification process. This research is particularly important given the wide applicability and potential consequences associated with poor performance on the board certification process -- as it relates to both individual physicians and residency programs.