Initial assessment of a new preparatory tool for board certification in urology

To establish a Canadian national examination simulating the qualifying Urology examinations of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and to survey candidate perceptions regarding the mock examination's utility as a preparatory tool for the RCPSC examinations and the adequacy of examination preparation provided by their residency training program.

From January 1997 to February 1999, the Queen's Urology Examination Skills Training (QUEST) program was established, consisting of a short answer question component and an objective structured clinical examination. All participants and residency program directors received detailed feedback regarding candidate performance.

All 11 Canadian training programs were represented, for a total of 64 participants. The 56 final-year candidates participating in QUEST and the RCPSC examinations in the same calendar year represented 66% of Canadian residents attempting the RCPSC examinations during that period. QUEST participants were surveyed immediately after the RCPSC examinations (response rate 84%). Of the respondents, 96% believed that QUEST was representative of the RCPSC examinations, and 100% said they would recommend it to future residents. Most respondents (92%) believed that the QUEST program improved their performance on the RCPSC examinations. Regarding the examination preparation received, 32 (68%) of 47 believed their program provided inadequate preparation for the RCPSC examinations.

Support is strong among Canadian urology residents for a preparatory examination such as the QUEST program. A significant majority of residents believed that they received inadequate preparation for the RCPSC examinations from their residency training program.