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The Written Clinical Diagnosis Board Examination: Survey of Program Director and Resident Opinions

¹ All authors: Department of Radiology, Monmouth Medical Center, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to assess the perceived value of the American Board of Radiology written clinical diagnosis board examination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two online surveys were distributed to diagnostic radiology programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Program directors were asked about the importance of the examination, and residents were asked about the importance and composition (proportion of repeated questions, known as recalls) of the examination and about preparation strategies.

RESULTS. Most of the program directors (122 of 178, 69%) responded. Most of the respondents believed that the examination correlated with their assessment of residents' knowledge, that passing was indicative of a qualified radiologist, and that the examination should not be eliminated. Although most of the program directors believed preparation increased residents' knowledge, they also believed that preparation detracted from reading assignments. Opinion was divided whether the examination should be continued in its present form. The majority of the 171 resident respondents spent most of their time studying recalls, which they believed made up 40–60% of the examination. One half of the residents believed that preparing helped in mastering the body of radiology knowledge, although most believed that core material made up only 20–60% of the examination. A minority of the residents considered passing the examination indicative of a qualified radiologist. Opinion was divided on continuing the examination in its present form.

CONCLUSION. Program directors and residents perceived value in the written clinical diagnosis board examination. The American Board of Radiology may need to reevaluate question content when restructuring the new examination.

Keywords: American Board of Radiology • education • program director opinion • resident opinion • written board examination

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