ORGANIZATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ANESTHESIOLOGY ORAL PRACTICE EXAMINATION PROGRAM: Planning, Structure, Startup,...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anesthesiology Training
• Professional Development

Background:

• Oral practice examinations (OPEs) are crucial for anesthesiology residents preparing for the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) qualifying exam.
• This communication outlines the development and implementation of a comprehensive OPE program within a large Midwest residency program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the planning, structure, administration, growth, and evaluation of a mock oral examination program.
• To enhance resident familiarity and comfort with the ABA-style oral examination format.

Main Methods:

• A faculty committee planned the OPE program, considering format, frequency, scheduling, and quality monitoring.
• A semiannual administration schedule was adopted, with mock oral formats mirroring the ABA style.
• Quality improvement included examiner/examinee sessions, feedback from ABA examiners, and exit questionnaires.

Main Results:

• The OPE program grew from 56 to 120 exams annually within three years.
• 90.2% of residents reported learning specific oral exam techniques.
• Resident preparedness increased with repeat OPE exposure, despite consistent anxiety levels.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive mock oral examination program was successfully established in an anesthesiology residency.
• The program is well-accepted by residents and faculty, contributing to increased resident preparedness.
• The OPE program remains an essential and valuable component of resident training after ten years.