Abstract
BackgroundWhile performance in other mandatory examinations taken at the beginning of a doctor's career are predictive of final training outcomes, the influence early postgraduate surgical examinations might have on success at Specialty Board Exams in the UK is currently unknown. The aim was to investigate whether performance at the mandatory Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination, and other variables, are predictive of success at the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) examination, thus potentially identifying those who may benefit from early academic intervention.MethodsPearson correlation coefficients examined the linear relationship between both examinations and logistic regression analysis identified potential independent predictors of FRCS success. All UK medical graduates who attempted either section of FRCS (Sections 1 and 2) between 2012 and 2018 were included.ResultsFirst attempt pass rates for Sections 1 and 2 FRCS were 87.4 per cent (n = 854) and 91.8 per cent (n = 797) respectively. In logistic regression analysis, sex (male: odds ratio (OR) 2.32, 95 per cent c.i 1.43 to 3.76), age (less than 29 years at graduation: OR 3.22, 1.88 to 5.51), Part B MRCS attempts (1 attempt: OR 1.77, 1.08 to 3.00), Part A score (OR 1.14, 1.09 to 1.89) and Part B score (OR 1.06, 1.03 to 1.09) were independent predictors of Section 1 FRCS success. Predictors of Section 2 FRCS success were age (less than 29 years at graduation: OR 3.55, 2.00 to 6.39), Part A score (OR 1.06, 1.02 to 1.11) and Section 1 FRCS score (OR 1.13, 1.07 to 1.18).ConclusionPart A and B MRCS performance were independent predictors of FRCS success, providing further evidence to support the predictive validity of this mandatory postgraduate exam. However, future research must explore the reasons between the attainment gaps observed for different groups of doctors.
Highlights
Irrespective of which specific training pathway they are following[1], UK surgical trainees must pass a postgraduate surgical examination, the Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS), as well as gain essential competencies to progress into their third year of training.The MRCS is one of the most widely offered postgraduate surgical exams in the world, with over 6000 UK and overseas doctors taking it each year[2,3]
All correlations were significant at P < 0⋅001. This is the first study to report on the relationship between mandatory early postgraduate surgical examinations and UK Surgical Specialty Board Examinations
For every 1 per cent over the pass mark that each trainee achieved at the written knowledge-based Part A MRCS, their chances of passing Sections 1 and 2 Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) increased by 14 and 6 per cent respectively
Summary
Irrespective of which specific training pathway they are following[1], UK surgical trainees must pass a postgraduate surgical examination, the Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS), as well as gain essential competencies to progress into their third year of training.The MRCS is one of the most widely offered postgraduate surgical exams in the world, with over 6000 UK and overseas doctors taking it each year[2,3]. While performance in other mandatory examinations taken at the beginning of a doctor’s career are predictive of final training outcomes, the influence early postgraduate surgical examinations might have on success at Specialty Board Exams in the UK is currently unknown. Sex (male: odds ratio (OR) 2.32, 95 per cent c.i 1.43 to 3.76), age (less than 29 years at graduation: OR 3.22, 1.88 to 5.51), Part B MRCS attempts (1 attempt: OR 1.77, 1.08 to 3.00), Part A score (OR 1.14, 1.09 to 1.89) and Part B score (OR 1.06, 1.03 to 1.09) were independent predictors of Section 1 FRCS success. Conclusion: Part A and B MRCS performance were independent predictors of FRCS success, providing further evidence to support the predictive validity of this mandatory postgraduate exam. Future research must explore the reasons between the attainment gaps observed for different groups of doctors
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