Vikas Agarwal1, Gregory M Bump2, Matthew T Heller3, Ling-Wan Chen4, Barton F Branstetter3, Nikhil B Amesur3, Marion A Hughes3. 1. Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop St, Suite 200 East Wing, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Electronic address: agarwalv@upmc.edu. 2. Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop St, Suite 200 East Wing, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. 4. Department of Statistics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study is to determine what information in medical student residency applications predicts radiology residency success as defined by objective clinical performance data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of residents who entered our institution's residency program through the National Resident Matching Program as postgraduate year 2 residents and completed the program over the past 2 years. Medical school grades, selection to Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and whether the applicant was from a peer institution were the variables examined. Clinical performance was determined by calculating each resident's cumulative major discordance rate for on-call cases the resident read and gave a preliminary interpretation. A major discordance was defined as a difference between the preliminary resident and the final attending interpretations that could immediately impact the care of the patient. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine significant variables. RESULTS: Twenty-seven residents provided preliminary reports on call for 67,145 studies. The mean major discordance rate was 1.08% (range 0.34%-2.54%). Higher USMLE Step 1 scores, publication before residency, and election to AOA Honor Society were all statistically significant predictors of lower major discordance rates (P values 0.01, 0.01, and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Overall resident performance was excellent. There are predictors that help select the better performing residents, namely higher USMLE Step 1 scores, one to two publications during medical school, and election to AOA in the junior year of medical school.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of our study is to determine what information in medical student residency applications predicts radiology residency success as defined by objective clinical performance data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of residents who entered our institution's residency program through the National Resident Matching Program as postgraduate year 2 residents and completed the program over the past 2 years. Medical school grades, selection to Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and whether the applicant was from a peer institution were the variables examined. Clinical performance was determined by calculating each resident's cumulative major discordance rate for on-call cases the resident read and gave a preliminary interpretation. A major discordance was defined as a difference between the preliminary resident and the final attending interpretations that could immediately impact the care of the patient. A multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine significant variables. RESULTS: Twenty-seven residents provided preliminary reports on call for 67,145 studies. The mean major discordance rate was 1.08% (range 0.34%-2.54%). Higher USMLE Step 1 scores, publication before residency, and election to AOA Honor Society were all statistically significant predictors of lower major discordance rates (P values 0.01, 0.01, and <0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Overall resident performance was excellent. There are predictors that help select the better performing residents, namely higher USMLE Step 1 scores, one to two publications during medical school, and election to AOA in the junior year of medical school.
Authors: Peter T Cangialosi; Brian C Chung; Torin P Thielhelm; Nicholas D Camarda; Dylan S Eiger Journal: Acad Med Date: 2021-03-01 Impact factor: 7.840