Abstract
ObjectiveThe American Board of Thoracic Surgery–certifying examination is challenging for applicants. Single institutions have reported good results with a mock oral examination (MOE) for trainees. General surgery literature has demonstrated success with in-person multi-institutional MOE examinations. Due to small numbers of cardiothoracic training programs and significant geographic variability, we hypothesized that a multi-institutional, collaborative remotely administered MOE (mICMO) pairing faculty with trainees from different institutions would provide an important educational experience.MethodsmICMOs were conducted via the Zoom virtual platform across 6 institutions. Descriptive results via post-experience survey were analyzed and reported.ResultsIn total, 100% of trainees found mICMO useful. The majority would recommend to a peer, and 100% of faculty examiners found mICMO useful and would participate in another examination.ConclusionsFaculty and trainees found the experience to be effective with respect to creating a high-stakes environment, educationally beneficial, and productive. These results support the continued use of mICMO and encourage expansion and collaboration with additional institutions across the country.
Highlights
PERSPECTIVE The American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS)-certifying examination is challenging for applicants
Virtual, high-stakes mock oral examination (MOE) with trainees examined by faculty outside their home institution has not been investigated
We found that this multiinstitutional collaborative effort is useful and educationally beneficial
Summary
MICMOs were conducted via the Zoom virtual platform across 6 institutions. Descriptive results via post-experience survey were analyzed and reported. On May 27, 2020, 14 cardiothoracic surgery trainees across 6 training institutions participated in mICMO as examinees. All had previously completed general surgery residency at ACGME-accredited institutions. Fourteen cardiothoracic surgery faculty members across 6 training institutions participated in mICMO as examiners. Faculty were excluded from participation if they were involved in the ABTS examinations in any capacity as examiners or members of leadership. JTCVS Open c Volume 3, Number C 129. Approval by the University of Wisconsin Madison institutional review board with a waiver of individual informed consent.
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