The Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination Predicts Performance on the Qualifying Examination. Journal Article

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Authors: Rowe, VL; Sheahan, M; Jones, AT; Moreno, BI; Perler, BA; Brown, KR; Barry, C; Upchurch, GR; Aulivola, B; Huber, TS
Article Title: The Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination Predicts Performance on the Qualifying Examination.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Vascular surgery trainees participate in the Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination (VSITE) during each year of their training. Although the VSITE was developed as a low-stakes, formative examination, performance may correlate with the pass rates on the Vascular Surgery Board (VSB) written Qualifying (VQE) and oral Certifying (VCE) exams and may, therefore, guide both trainees and program directors. This study was designed to examine the ability of the VSITE to predict performance on the VQE and VCE. METHODS: All first-time candidates of the VSB VQE and VCE were analyzed from 2016 to 2020, including those from both the integrated (0 + 5) and independent (5 + 2) training pathways. VSITE scores from the final year of training were associated with VQE scores and with the probability of passing both the VQE and VCE. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine the ability of VSITE results to predict VQE scores and the probability of passing each board examination. RESULTS: VSITE scores available for the 559 (69.3% male, 30.7% female) candidates who completed the VQE and 369 (66.7% male, 33.3% female) who completed both the VQE and VCE. Linear regression model results for the final year of training showed that VSITE scores explained 34% of the variance of VQE scores, 29% for the integrated and 37% for the independent trainees. Logistic regression demonstrated that final year VSITE scores were a significant predictor of passing the VQE for both integrated and independent trainees (p0.001). A VSITE score of 500 during the final year of training predicted a VQE passing probability of >90% for each group of candidates. The probability of passing the VQE decreased to 73% for candidates from integrated programs, 61% for candidates from independent programs, and 64% for the whole cohort when the score was 400. VSITE scores were a significant predictor of passing the VCE for only the candidates from independent programs (OR = 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; p .01), where a VSITE score of 400 correlated to an 82% probability of passing the VCE. CONCLUSION: VSITE performance is predictive of passing the VQE for trainees from both the integrated and independent training paradigms. Vascular surgery trainees and training programs should optimize their preparation and educational efforts to maximize performance on the VSITE during their final year of training to improve the likelihood of passing the VQE. Further analysis of the predictive value of VSITE scores during the earlier years of training may allow the board certification examinations to be administered earlier in the final year of training.
Journal Title: Journal of vascular surgery
ISSN: 1097-6809; 0741-5214
Publisher: Mosby, Inc  
Date Published: 2022