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Rogers CD, Kirabo A, McReynolds M, Sweetwyne MT, Wanjalla C, Benjamin J, Williams EM, Gaddy JA, Williams CR, Damo SM, Murray SA, Hinton A. The graduate school guide: How to prepare for the qualifying exam and assemble a thesis/graduate committee. J Cell Physiol 2024. [PMID: 38595027 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Qualifying exams and thesis committees are crucial components of a PhD candidate's journey. However, many candidates have trouble navigating these milestones and knowing what to expect. This article provides advice on meeting the requirements of the qualifying exam, understanding its format and components, choosing effective preparation strategies, retaking the qualifying exam, if necessary, and selecting a thesis committee, all while maintaining one's mental health. This comprehensive guide addresses components of the graduate school process that are often neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal D Rogers
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA
| | - Annet Kirabo
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Melanie McReynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Huck Institute of the Life Sciences, State College, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mariya T Sweetwyne
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Celestine Wanjalla
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jazmine Benjamin
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Edith M Williams
- Department of Public Health Sciences (SMD), University of Rochester, New York, Rochester, USA
| | - Jennifer A Gaddy
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Medicine Health and Society, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare Systems, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Clintoria R Williams
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Steven M Damo
- Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sandra A Murray
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Antentor Hinton
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Ray Velez D. Program Factors Associated With Improved American Board of Surgery Examination Pass Rates. Am Surg 2024:31348241241655. [PMID: 38557331 DOI: 10.1177/00031348241241655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The American Board of Surgery awards board certification after successful completion of both the Qualifying Exam and Certifying Exam. Although multiple studies have evaluated board performance at the resident level, fewer studies have evaluated board performance at the program level. METHODS Program pass rates, available through the American Board of Surgery, for 2019-2021 were compared to program information through the American Medical Association Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database Access (FREIDA). RESULTS A significant positive correlation of Certifying Exam performance to residency length, resident class size, and number of total physician faculty within the program was seen. Greater average hours of didactics per week had a significant positive correlation to improved Qualifying Exam performance but not Certifying Exam. Programs with higher percentages of residents graduating from a United States MD program, compared to international or DO schools, were associated with improved performances. It also appears that more established programs performed better than younger programs <20 years old. Programs in the West and Midwest performed significantly better on the Qualifying Exam than programs in the South and Northeast. CONCLUSION Board certification serves as the capstone for surgeons after completing general surgery residency. Multiple program factors demonstrate a significant correlation to board performance.
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Fair L, Gough B, Hyman N, Bello B, Steinhagen R, Cleary R, Ziegler M, Maun D, Fleshner P, Ogola G, Wells K, Lichliter W, Fleshman J, Fichera A. Predictive factors of first-time failure on the American Board of Colorectal Surgery certifying and qualifying examinations. Proc AMIA Symp 2023; 36:483-489. [PMID: 37334084 PMCID: PMC10269382 DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2023.2204776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To discover if first-attempt failure of the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery (ABCRS) board examination is associated with surgical training or personal demographic characteristics. Methods Current colon and rectal surgery program directors in the United States were contacted via email. Deidentified records of trainees from 2011 to 2019 were requested. Analysis was performed to identify associations between individual risk factors and failure on the ABCRS board examination on the first attempt. Results Seven programs contributed data, totaling 67 trainees. The overall first-time pass rate was 88% (n = 59). Several variables demonstrated potential for association, including Colon and Rectal Surgery In-Training Examination (CARSITE) percentile (74.5 vs 68.0, P = 0.09), number of major cases in colorectal residency (245.0 vs 219.2, P = 0.16), >5 publications during colorectal residency (75.0% vs 25.0%, P = 0.19), and first-time passage of the American Board of Surgery certifying examination (92.5% vs 7.5%, P = 0.18). Conclusion The ABCRS board examination is a high-stakes test, and training program factors may be predictive of failure. Although several factors showed potential for association, none reached statistical significance. Our hope is that by increasing our data set, we will identify statistically significant associations that can potentially benefit future trainees in colon and rectal surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Fair
- Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
- Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas
| | - Benjamin Gough
- Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | - Neil Hyman
- University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Brian Bello
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | | | - Dipen Maun
- Franciscan Health Inc, Mishawaka, Indiana
| | | | - Gerald Ogola
- Baylor Scott and White Research Institute, Dallas, Texas
| | - Katerina Wells
- Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - James Fleshman
- Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas
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Jones AT, Biester TW, Buyske J, Lewis FR, Malangoni MA. Using the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination to predict board certification: a cautionary study. J Surg Educ 2014; 71:e144-e148. [PMID: 24913429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although designed as a low-stakes formative examination, the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) is often used in high-stakes decisions such as promotion, remediation, and retention owing to its perceived ability to predict the outcome of board certification. Because of the discrepancy between intent and use, the ability of ABSITE scores to predict passing the American Board of Surgery certification examinations was analyzed. METHODS All first-time American Board of Surgery qualifying examination (QE) examinees between 2006 and 2012 were reviewed. Examinees' postgraduate year (PGY) 1 and PGY5 ABSITE standard scores were linked to QE scores and pass/fail outcomes (n = 6912 and 6846, respectively) as well as first-time certifying examination (CE) pass/fail results (n = 1329). Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the utility of ABSITE scores to predict board certification scores and pass/fail outcomes. RESULTS PGY1 ABSITE scores accounted for 22% of the variance in QE scores (p < 0.001). PGY5 scores were a slightly better predictor, accounting for 30% of QE score variance (p < 0.001). Analyses showed that selecting a PGY5 ABSITE score that maximized overall decision accuracy for predicting QE pass/fail outcomes (86% accuracy) resulted in 98% sensitivity, 13% specificity, a positive predictive value of 87%, and a negative predictive value of 57%. ABSITE scores were not predictive of success on the CE. CONCLUSIONS ABSITE scores are a useful predictor of QE scores and outcomes but do not predict passing the CE. Although scoring well on the ABSITE is highly predictive of QE success, using low ABSITE scores to predict QE failure results in frequent decision errors. Program directors and other evaluators should use additional sources of information when making high-stakes decisions about resident performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jo Buyske
- American Board of Surgery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Frank R Lewis
- American Board of Surgery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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