Procedural aspects of the organization of the comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma examination.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Mathysen DG
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5066067 | biostudies-literature | 2016
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Procedural aspects of the organization of the comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma examination.
Mathysen Danny G P DG Ringens Peter J PJ Midena Edoardo E Klett Artur A Sunaric-Mégevand Gordana G Martinez-Costa Rafael R Curtin Denise D Tassignon Marie-José MJ Aclimandos Wagih W Creuzot-Garcher Catherine C Grupcheva Christina C Grupcheva Christina C
Journal of educational evaluation for health professions 20160726
The comprehensive European Board of Ophthalmology Diploma (EBOD) examination is one of 38 European medical specialty examinations. This review aims at disclosing the specific procedures and content of the EBOD examination. It is a descriptive study summarizing the present organization of the EBOD examination. It is the 3rd largest European postgraduate medical assessment after anaesthesiology and cardiology. The master language is English for the Part 1 written test (knowledge test with 52 modif ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:BackgroundWritten medical examinations consist of multiple-choice questions and/or free-text answers. The latter require manual evaluation and rating, which is time-consuming and potentially error-prone. We tested whether natural language processing (NLP) can be used to automatically analyze free-text answers to support the review process.MethodsThe European Board of Radiology of the European Society of Radiology provided representative datasets comprising sample questions, answer keys, participant answers, and reviewer markings from European Diploma in Radiology examinations. Three free-text questions with the highest number of corresponding answers were selected: Questions 1 and 2 were "unstructured" and required a typical free-text answer whereas question 3 was "structured" and offered a selection of predefined wordings/phrases for participants to use in their free-text answer. The NLP engine was designed using word lists, rule-based synonyms, and decision tree learning based on the answer keys and its performance tested against the gold standard of reviewer markings.ResultsAfter implementing the NLP approach in Python, F1 scores were calculated as a measure of NLP performance: 0.26 (unstructured question 1, n = 96), 0.33 (unstructured question 2, n = 327), and 0.5 (more structured question, n = 111). The respective precision/recall values were 0.26/0.27, 0.4/0.32, and 0.62/0.55.ConclusionThis study showed the successful design of an NLP-based approach for automatic evaluation of free-text answers in the EDiR examination. Thus, as a future field of application, NLP could work as a decision-support system for reviewers and support the design of examinations being adjusted to the requirements of an automated, NLP-based review process.Clinical relevance statementNatural language processing can be successfully used to automatically evaluate free-text answers, performing better with more structured question-answer formats. Furthermore, this study provides a baseline for further work applying, e.g., more elaborated NLP approaches/large language models.Key points• Free-text answers require manual evaluation, which is time-consuming and potentially error-prone. • We developed a simple NLP-based approach - requiring only minimal effort/modeling - to automatically analyze and mark free-text answers. • Our NLP engine has the potential to support the manual evaluation process. • NLP performance is better on a more structured question-answer format.
| S-EPMC10509084 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Cognitive factors (eg, academic achievement) have had a significant role in selecting postgraduate surgical trainees in the past. This project sought to determine the role of a national undergraduate ophthalmology prize examination (Duke-Elder examination) in the selection of postgraduate ophthalmology trainees. This would also serve as a quality assurance exercise for the assessment, in which the ultimate aim is to encourage trainees into ophthalmology.A retrospective analysis of the top 20 ranked candidates in the Duke-Elder examination from 1989 to 2005 (except 1995) was carried out to determine which of them subsequently entered the ophthalmic training and General Medical Council Specialist Registers.Out of the top 20 candidates in the exam, 29.5% went into specialist training in ophthalmology. Some appeared in the top 20 more than once, with 56% of them going into ophthalmic training, but they had a similar median time to enter training as those who appeared in the top 20 once. There was no significant evidence to suggest that the overall median ranking scores between the UK medical schools differed (P=0.23; Kruskal-Wallis test). However, there was a marked difference in frequency of top 20 candidates from each medical school, which could not be explained by the size of the medical school alone.It is difficult to conclude from these findings the importance that the Duke-Elder examination has in the selection of trainees into ophthalmology. The role of cognitive factors in selection into postgraduate medical/surgical training is discussed, along with the potential academic criteria, which may influence interview scores.
| S-EPMC3178229 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundExamining the predictors of summative assessment performance is important for improving educational programs and structuring appropriate learning environments for trainees. However, predictors of certification examination performance in pediatric postgraduate education have not been comprehensively investigated in Japan.MethodsThe Pediatric Board Examination database in Japan, which includes 1578 postgraduate trainees from 2015 to 2016, was analyzed. The examinations included multiple-choice questions (MCQs), case summary reports, and an interview, and the predictors for each of these components were investigated by multiple regression analysis.ResultsThe number of examination attempts and the training duration were significant negative predictors of the scores for the MCQ, case summary, and interview. Employment at a community hospital or private university hospital were negative predictors of the MCQ and case summary score, respectively. Female sex and the number of academic presentations positively predicted the case summary and interview scores. The number of research publications was a positive predictor of the MCQ score, and employment at a community hospital was a positive predictor of the case summary score.ConclusionThis study found that delayed and repeated examination taking were negative predictors, while the scholarly activity of trainees was a positive predictor, of pediatric board certification examination performance.
| S-EPMC7898761 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionPreparation for oral board examination is an important part of residency training. Anesthesiology programs provide mock oral exams for their trainees, but often, faculty have little guidance on the conduct of these exams. We describe a faculty development workshop for anesthesiology faculty to enhance their familiarity with the American Board of Anesthesiology Standardized Oral Examination (SOE).MethodsWe created a faculty development workshop to administer to a live audience. The session consisted of didactic and practical components. A one-page tip sheet was also included to distribute to all faculty administering mock SOEs, for review and reference prior to administering an exam. Faculty and residents were surveyed before and after the session.ResultsEleven faculty participated in the live session. Eighty-two percent of faculty (nine of 11) committed to making a change in the way they delivered mock SOE as a result of attending the session. Fifty-eight percent of faculty (32 of 55) who responded to the postintervention survey reported that they used the tip sheet prior to administering a subsequent mock SOE. Residents described improvement in the clarity and organization of feedback following the intervention.DiscussionFaculty members play a vital role in preparing residents for board certification. It is therefore important that faculty are appropriately oriented to the goals and conduct of the mock SOE. After taking this workshop, faculty members will be more likely to adapt their examiner style to focus on the ABA-defined examinee attributes and to provide feedback after the mock SOE.
| S-EPMC8319152 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceBecause women remain underrepresented in leadership positions in medicine, including ophthalmology, knowledge of sex composition of ophthalmic journal editorial and professional society boards seems warranted.ObjectivesTo investigate the sex composition of ophthalmic journal editorial and professional society boards and compare the publication productivity and number of citations of male vs female board members.Design, setting, and participantsIn this cross-sectional study, the SCImago Journal Rank indicator was used to identify the 20 highest-ranked ophthalmology journals. Faculty members from each ophthalmic subspecialty were surveyed within a US academic ophthalmology department to identify 15 influential ophthalmology societies. The 2018 board members of each journal and society were identified from the journals' and societies' official websites, and the sex of each individual was recorded. Information regarding journals and societies was collected from October 1 to December 31, 2018. The Scopus database was accessed in January 2019 and then used to find each member's h-index and m-quotient.Main outcomes and measuresThe h-index, defined as the highest number of an author's publications that received at least h number of citations, was calculated for each board member. The m-quotient, which accounts for varying lengths of academic careers, was calculated by dividing the h-index by the number of years since first publication.ResultsOf the 1077 members of ophthalmic journal editorial and society leadership boards, 797 (74.0%) were men and 280 (26.0%) were women. Among the 24 editors in chief of the 20 journals investigated, 23 (95.8%) were male. Thirteen of the 15 professional society presidents (86.7%) were men. Male board members had significantly higher median h-indexes (male vs female journals: 34 [interquartile range {IQR}, 23-47] vs 28 [IQR, 19-40], P < .001; male vs female societies: 27 [IQR, 15-41] vs 17 [IQR, 8-32], P = .006), median publication numbers (male vs female journal board members: 157 [IQR, 88-254] vs 109 [IQR, 66-188], P < .001; male vs female society board members: 109 [IQR, 57-190] vs 58 [IQR, 28-139, P = .001), and median citations (male vs female journal board members: 4027 [IQR, 1897-8005] vs 2871 [IQR, 1344-5852], P < .001; male vs female society board members: 2228 [IQR, 1005-5069] vs 1090 [IQR, 410-2527], P = .003). However, the median m-quotients for male and female board members were comparable (male vs female journal board members: 1.2 [IQR, 0.8-1.6] vs 1.1 [IQR, 0.8-1.5], P = .54; male vs female society board members: 1.0 [IQR, 0.7-1.4] vs 0.9 [IQR, 0.6-1.3], P = .32).Conclusions and relevanceThe findings suggest that the sex composition on journal editorial and professional society boards in ophthalmology is consistent with the sex composition of ophthalmologists in the US, as reported by the Association of American Colleges, but that editor in chief and society president positions are male dominated despite the apparent equality in academic productivity.
| S-EPMC7099467 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionStructured procedural education and assessment of competency are growing needs for residency and fellowship programs. Simulation is a useful way to learn, experience, and practice procedural skills with competence. Paracentesis is a common procedure encountered in internal medicine. This educational resource for paracentesis education includes didactics, cases, and assessments to address cognitive skills, a simulation experience to address psychomotor procedural skills, and an entrustment-based assessment tool.MethodsPrior to the simulation, learners completed preprocedural didactics and self-assessments. Utilizing a paracentesis trainer, ultrasound, and paracentesis kit, the case of a 46-year-old male with ascites in need of a paracentesis was presented. During the simulation, learners initially performed a paracentesis step by step, with assistance and feedback from the case instructor. This was immediately followed by paracentesis without assistance, where the instructor evaluated the learners with an assessment tool encompassing a procedural checklist, global skill assessment scale, and entrustment scale. Afterwards, learners completed case-based reviews and returned to the simulation lab several months later to repeat an unassisted paracentesis.ResultsThe curriculum was used with internal medicine and medicine-pediatric residents of all training levels. To date, over 120 residents have completed the curriculum. Residents reported an increase in self-confidence and competence using ultrasound to identify ascites and performing a paracentesis. Learners provided positive feedback.DiscussionThis curriculum offers the opportunity for both cognitive and psychomotor paracentesis education in a low-risk simulation environment. The comprehensive strategy with didactics, cases, and multiple simulations is designed to promote knowledge and skill retention.
| S-EPMC6342366 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Over the past decade, the field of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has exhibited rapid growth. Due to their regenerative, reparatory, and immunomodulatory capacities, MSCs have been widely investigated as therapeutic agents in the cell-based treatment of chronic ophthalmic pathologies. However, the applicability of MSC-based therapy is limited by suboptimal biocompatibility, penetration, and delivery to the target ocular tissues. An emerging body of research has elucidated the role of exosomes in the biological functions of MSCs, and that MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, tissue repairing, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties similar to MSCs. The recent advances in MSCs-derived exosomes can serve as solutions to the challenges faced by MSCs-therapy. Due to their nano-dimensions, MSC-derived exosomes can rapidly penetrate biological barriers and reach immune-privileged organs, allowing for efficient delivery of therapeutic factors such as trophic and immunomodulatory agents to ocular tissues that are typically challenging to target by conventional therapy and MSCs transplantation. In addition, the use of EVs minimizes the risks associated with mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. In this literature review, we focus on the studies published between 2017 and 2022, highlighting the characteristics of EVs derived from MSCs and their biological functions in treating anterior and posterior segment ocular diseases. Additionally, we discuss the potential use of EVs in clinical settings. Rapid advancements in regenerative medicine and exosome-based drug delivery, in conjunction with an increased understanding of ocular pathology and pharmacology, hold great promise for the treatment of ocular diseases. The potential of exosome-based therapies is exciting and can revolutionize the way we approach these ocular conditions.
| S-EPMC10142951 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThe research sought to ascertain medical and dental libraries' collection development policies, evaluation methods, purchase decisions, and issues that relate to print and electronic United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) preparation materials.MethodsThe investigators surveyed librarians supporting American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)-accredited medical schools (n = 58/125) on the USMLE and librarians supporting American Dental Association (ADA)-accredited dental schools (n = 23/56) on the NBDE. The investigators analyzed the data by cross-tabulating and filtering the results using EFM Continuum web survey software. Investigators also surveyed print and electronic USMLE and NBDE preparation materials from 2004-2007 to determine the number of publications and existence of reviews.ResultsA majority of responding AAMC libraries (62%, n = 58) provide at least 1 electronic or online USMLE preparation resource and buy an average of 11.6 print USMLE titles annually. Due to a paucity of NBDE print and electronic resources, ADA libraries bought significantly fewer print resources, and only 1 subscribed to an electronic resource. The most often reported evaluation methods for both populations were feedback from medical or dental students, feedback from medical or dental faculty, and online trials. Some AAMC (10%, n = 58) and ADA libraries (39%, n = 23) libraries reported that no evaluation of these materials occured at their libraries.ConclusionsFrom 2004-2007, publishers produced 45 USMLE preparation resources (total n = 546) to every 1 NBDE preparation resource (total n = 12). Users' needs, institutional missions and goals, financial status, and official collection policies most often underlie decisions to collect or not collect examination preparation materials. Evaluating the quality of examination preparation materials can be problematic due to lack of published reviews, lack of usability testing by libraries, and librarians' and library users' unfamiliarity with the actual content of examinations. Libraries must integrate faculty and students into the purchase process to make sure examination preparation resources of the highest quality are purchased.
| S-EPMC2479044 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To sustainably contribute to food security of a growing and richer world population, livestock production systems are challenged to increase production levels while reducing environmental impact, being economically viable, and socially responsible. Knowledge about the sustainability performance of current livestock production systems may help to formulate strategies for future systems. Our study provides a systematic overview of differences between conventional and organic livestock production systems on a broad range of sustainability aspects and animal species available in peer-reviewed literature. Systems were compared on economy, productivity, environmental impact, animal welfare and public health. The review was limited to dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs, broilers and laying hens, and to Europe, North America and New Zealand. Results per indicators are presented as in the articles without performing additional calculations. Out of 4171 initial search hits, 179 articles were analysed. Studies varied widely in indicators, research design, sample size and location and context. Quite some studies used small samples. No study analysed all aspects of sustainability simultaneously. Conventional systems had lower labour requirements per unit product, lower income risk per animal, higher production per animal per time unit, higher reproduction numbers, lower feed conversion ratio, lower land use, generally lower acidification and eutrophication potential per unit product, equal or better udder health for cows and equal or lower microbiological contamination. Organic systems had higher income per animal or full time employee, lower impact on biodiversity, lower eutrophication and acidification potential per unit land, equal or lower likelihood of antibiotic resistance in bacteria and higher beneficial fatty acid levels in cow milk. For most sustainability aspects, sometimes conventional and sometimes organic systems performed better, except for productivity, which was consistently higher in conventional systems. For many aspects and animal species, more data are needed to conclude on a difference between organic and conventional livestock production systems.
| S-EPMC5607874 | biostudies-literature
Project description:In-flight medical and surgical emergencies (IMEs) onboard commercial aircrafts occur quite commonly. However, little epidemiological research exists concerning these incidents.Thirty-two European airlines were asked to provide anonymous data on medical flight reports of IMEs for the years 2002 to 2007. The total number of incidents was correlated to revenue passenger kilometers (rpk). Additionally, on-board births and deaths, flight diversions, flight routes (continental/intercontinental) and involvement of a physician or medical professional in providing therapy were analysed.Only four airlines, of which two participated in this study, were able to provide the necessary data. A total of 10,189 cases of IMEs were analysed. Syncope was the most common medical condition reported (5307 cases, 53.5%) followed by gastrointestinal disorders (926 cases, 8.9%) and cardiac conditions (509 cases, 4.9%). The most common surgical conditions were thrombosis (47 cases, 0.5%) and appendicitis (27 cases, 0.25%). In 2.8% of all IMEs, an aircraft diversion was performed. In 86% of cases, a physician or medical professional was involved in providing therapy. A mean (standard deviation) of 14 (+/- 2.3, 10.8 to 16.6 interquartile range) IMEs per billion rpk was calculated.The study demonstrates that although aviation is regulated by a variety of national and international laws, standardised documentation of IMEs is inadequate and needs further development.
| S-EPMC2688113 | biostudies-literature