Identification of Modifiable Factors Associated with Success and Failure on Vascular Surgery Trainees on the VSITE

Transcription

1 Identification of Modifiable Factors Associated with Success and Failure on Vascular Surgery Trainees on the VSITE 1 Matthew R. Smeds, MD, FACS 2 Michael Harlander-Locke, 1 Mohammed M. Moursi, MD, FACS 1 Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 2 Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, Florida

2 None. Disclosures

3 Background The Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination (VSITE)is offered yearly -Allows evaluation of clinical training programs and curriculum -Means of evaluation of residents Factors associated with success/failure are not well elucidated

4 Objective Describe current vascular trainees study habits/sources for VSITE preparation Determine factors associated with success or failure on the VSITE examination

5 Methods Voluntary anonymous electronic survey ( sent to all vascular trainees (n= 481) in United States vascular surgery integrated residencies (0+5) and fellowships (5+2) Demographics Study Habits Career Interests Residency Characteristics Academic Output Self-reported VSITE Performance

6 Surveys completed by 203 (42%) trainees 71 (35%) Fellows (5+2) 132 (65%) Residents (0+5)

7 Demographic n (%) Age <25 2 (1%) (37%) (49%) >35 27 (13%) Male 133 (66%) Married 103 (51%) Children 63 (31%) On (or had) a research year Advanced Degree (other than MD) 38 (19%) 44 (22%)

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9 Frequency of Reading for Clinical Duties Frequency of Reading for VSITE

10 Two Weeks Prior Two Months Prior All Other Months Minimal (< 1 Hour) 1 5 Hours 6 10 Hours Hours >15 Hours

11 Clinical Duty Preparation (n = 203) Most Important (n = 201) VSITE Preparation (n = 203) Most Important (n = 200) Vascular Surgery 188 (93%) 128 (64%) 151 (75%) 34 (17%) Textbook Journal Articles 111 (55%) 13 (7%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Peer Reviewed 51 (25%) 14 (7%) 17 (8.4%) 0 (0%) Internet Sources VESAP 39 (19%) 36 (18%) 177 (87%) 154 (77%) SCORE Curriculum 17 (8%) 0 (0%) 15 (7%) 0 (0%) Other 7 (3%) 10 (5%) 28 (14%) 12 (6%)

12 Most Important Textbook Used n (%) n = 203 Rutherford s Vascular Surgery 110 (54%) Moore s Vascular and Endovascular Surgery: A Comprehensive Review Stanley s Current Therapy in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Hallet s Comprehensive Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Chaikof s Atlas of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery 33 (16%) 31 (15%) 13 (6%) 9 (4%)

13 When did you study for the VSITE? During the day when I got a free minute After work when I felt like it Set study time after work most days of the week I didn't study for the VSITE Set study time after work at least weekly Other

14 Where do you study? At home At the hospital/work At a public place (coffee house) At a library Other

15 Very Disciplined Somewhat Disciplined Not Fairly Very Consistently Undisciplined Undisciplined Disciplined or Undisciplined

16 Most Important Barrier To Studying (n = 203) Resident Work Hours 105 (52%) Desire to spend time with 52 (26%) friends/family Non Clinical Academic Duties 17 (8%) Lack of Motivation 12 (6%) Interests Outside of Medicine 9 (4%) No Barriers 8 (4%)

17 2016 VSITE Scores (percent correct): <50%: 7 (3.5%) 50-70%: 51 (25%) 70-90%: 126 (62%) >90%: 5 (2.5%) Satisfied with score? Yes: 132 (66%) No: 69 (34%)

18 Opinion Regarding VSITE My VSITE Score Doesn't Matter to Me I just need to "pass" I want to do "well" I must do well

19 Factors Associated with <70% Score on the p value VSITE Being somewhat disciplined in study habits Being not consistently disciplined or 0.34 undisciplined Being on a research year 0.04 Being married Having children Being a foreign medical graduate* *There was no correlation of undergraduate degree type or medical training (MD vs DO) with VSITE performance

20 Factors Associated with >90% Score on the p value VSITE Daily reading/studying for the VSITE.016 >15 hours reading/studying for the VSITE in.006 two weeks prior to examination 6 10 hours reading/studying for the VSITE.026 in two months prior to examination >15 hours reading/studying for the VSITE in.001 two months prior to examination Being very disciplined <.001

21 Conclusions Most vascular trainees report studying for clinical duties on a weekly or daily basis while studying for VSITE only sporadically or less frequently The most important resource for clinical duty preparation is standard vascular textbooks while VESAP is deemed the most important for VSITE preparation

22 Conclusions Most trainees report being rather undisciplined in preparation for the VSITE Barriers to study include residency work hours and desire to spend time with family

23 Conclusions Factors associated with high scores on the VSITE include more frequent reading and a disciplined approach to study Factors associated with lower scores include being married, having children, and lack of discipline in preparation

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