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Home > Vascular Annual Meeting > PP22. Report of the First Vascular Surgery In-Training...

PP22. Report of the First Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination (VSITE)

Amy B. Reed1, Robert S. Rhodes2, Thomas W. Biester2, John J. Ricotta3
1University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; 2American Board of Surgery, Philadelphia, PA; 3Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC

OBJECTIVES: As vascular surgery training has evolved from a single clinical year following general surgery training to a multi-year training program with independent certification, the need for an in-training examination to assess the preparedness of the candidate for the certification process has become apparent. Our objective is to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the first Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination (VSITE) and to correlate performance on the VSITE with performance on the Qualifying Examination (QE) in Vascular Surgery.

METHODS: The Vascular Surgery Board (VSB) in conjunction with the Association of Program Directors in Vascular Surgery (APDVS) appointed a panel to develop the VSITE which was administered by the Vascular Surgery Board of the American Board of Surgery (VSB/ABS). Thirty-one APDVS and SVS members contributed questions in clinical and basic science areas of vascular surgery training. All questions were again reviewed by the panel and the VSB/ABS prior to administration of the examination. The psychometric characteristics of the examination and correlation of performance on VSITE and VQE were undertaken by ABS staff.

RESULTS: On February 16, 2008, 240 examinees took the initial Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination online through a secure, proctored web site. This total included 216 vascular residents from 91 of 95 (96%) training programs. The psychometric properties of the examination were excellent with index values comparable to other ABS examinations. The average difficulty value for all items was 76.6%, the average discrimination value was 0.20, the total test reliability coefficient was 0.85 and the standard error of measurement was 2.9% correct. Scores ranged from 55% to 93% correct with an average of 76.7% correct. Sixty-four candidates took both the VSITE and the VQE in 2008. A high correlation of 0.70 was noted between performance on the two examinations. Several examinees with the lowest VSITE scores failed the VQE and no one with a VSITE score higher than 76% correct failed the VQE.

CONCLUSIONS: The VSITE demonstrated excellent psychometric characteristics and appears to be a valid tool to evaluate vascular surgery resident knowledge. Long-term correlation with VQE results will remain a future area of study.

AUTHOR DISCLOSURES: A.B. Reed, None; R.S. Rhodes, None; T.W. Biester, None; J.J. Ricotta, None.