Saudi Fellowship Training Program Promotion Exam of Adult Respiratory Medicine 2018 Objectives: The general objective of the annual promotion assessment is to evaluate that the trainee has satisfactorily acquired the theoretical knowledge and clinical competences that he/she should have acquired during the relevant year(s). The annual promotion assessment consists of the following components: a. Written examination b. Continuous Assessment Eligibility for Written Examination: Valid registration with the SCFHS. Completion of at least nine months of training in the concerned year of residency/fellowship training. Written Examination Format: A written examination shall consist of one paper with (100-120) MCQs with a single best answer (one correct answer out of four options). If any other assessment format is used the CAC must agree to its implementation. Continuous Assessment Formats: Continuous assessment formats consist of: a. Continuous Evaluation Reports (CER) o CERs should be conducted at least three times which covers 9 training months per year. o CERs are submitted to local supervisory committee for each trainee based on a series of workplace-based assessments (WBA) considered relevant by the specialty. Examples found in appendix 4 and 5. Page 1
b. Other assessment formats o Other assessment formats involve: Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), Structured Oral Exam (SOE), Research activity, International examinations, and/or Academic assignments. c. The percentage for (b) shall not exceed 50% of the continuous assessment score. d. If any other assessment format (not mentioned above) is used the CAC must agree to its implementation. Passing Score for Promotion: An average of 60% score in the annual promotion assessment with a minimum of 50% in each component (written and continuous assessment) is required for passing. In a written examination, if the same paper is used for all training levels (i.e. junior or senior), pre-determined passing score to reflect the level difference in fellowship training shall be made where applicable. Example: R1=50%, R2=55%, and R3=60%. Score Report: All written examination score reports shall go through a post-hoc item analysis before being approved by Executive Director of Assessment, within two weeks of the examination. Every SEC is encouraged to provide the scientific council for the specialty with results feedback represent the performance of all residents based on each section of the exam according to the test blueprint, and based on their training center if possible. Page 2
General Rules: The written examination shall be held once a year within 4-6 weeks of completion of nine months of training in that particular year. There shall be no re-sit examination. There shall be no promotion written examination at the end of final year of training in diploma, residency and fellowship programs. The annual promotion assessment rules and regulations apply to the Saudi Subspecialty fellowship and diplomas Programs. Promotion written examination and continuous assessment results are valid for the specific year in which they were conducted. Examination Conduct and Duration: Exam period shall be between two hours to two and 1/2 hours for (100 120) questions paper. The exam will be delivered as a computer based test when available, otherwise paper and pencil. Blueprint outlines No. Sections % 1 Obstructive Lung Disease 16 2 Interstitial and Inflammatory Lung Disease 11 3 Occupational and environmental diseases 3 4 Infections 10 5 Neoplasms 8 6 Pleural Disease 7 7 Sleep Medicine 4 8 Congenital, Neuromuscular, and Skeletal Abnormalities 3 9 Vascular Disorders 5 10 Basic Science and Physiology 15 11 Critical Care Medicine 10 12 Ethics, research and patient safety 8 Total 100 Note: Blueprint distributions of the examination may differ up to +/-3% in each category Books for item 12 can be downloaded from the Saudi Commission's website: http://www.scfhs.org.sa/en/mesps/trainingprogs/edumatactiv/ Page 3
Suggested References: Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine Fishman's Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders West, John. Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials. West, John. Pulmonary Pathophysiology: The Essentials. Goodman. Felson's Principles of Chest Roentgenology W. Richard Webb. High-Resolution CT of the Lung Robert E. Hyatt.Interpretation of Pulmonary Function Tests ACCP Pulmonary Medicine Board Review Note: This list is intended for use as a study aid only. SCFHS does not intend the list to imply endorsement of these specific references, nor are the exam questions necessarily taken solely from these sources. Example Questions EXAMPLES OF K2 QUESTIONS Question 1 A 45 year-old man complains of progressive dyspnea on exertion and non-productive cough. He does not have hemoptysis. Wegener's granulomatosis was diagnosed four years ago when he presented with sinus pain and epistaxis with a positive c- ANCA. He was treated conservatively at that time and has done well. An examination confirmed expiratory wheezing (see reports). Blood pressure Heart rate Respiratory rate Temperature 130/70 mmhg 76 /min 20 /min 36.6 o C Chest X-ray Several cavitating pulmonary nodules The Flow-volume Loop Flattening of the expiratory curve consistent with a variable intrathoracic obstruction Which of the following is the next most appropriate step in management? A. Bronchoscopy B. Immunosuppressive therapy C. Otorhinolaryngology consultation D. Computed Tomography of the chest Page 4
EXAMPLES OF K1 Question 2 Randomized control trials have shown that long term oxygen therapy reduces mortality, in which of the following conditions? A. Cystic fibrosis B. Chronic asthma C. Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis D. Cor pulmonale due to chronic airflow obstruction Page 5