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Longitudinal evaluation of the Ophthalmology residents in Brazil: an observational prospective study

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The longitudinal evaluation of students seems to be a better way to assess their knowledge compared with that of the traditional methods of evaluation, such as modular and final tests. Currently, progress testing is the most consolidated type of longitudinal testing method. However, despite being well consolidated as an assessment tool in medical education, the use of this type of test in residency programs is scarce.

OBJECTIVES:

This study aimed to investigate residents’ knowledge growth regarding residency training and to describe the implementation of a longitudinal evaluation test in ophthalmological residency training across several medical schools in Brazil. Finally, the study aimed to check whether performance in the tests can be used as a predictor of the results of the specialist title test.

DESIGN AND SETTING:

This was a prospective observational study. This study was conducted using an online platform.

METHODS:

Online tests were developed following the same pattern as the Brazilian Ophthalmology Council specialist tests. All the residents performed the test simultaneously. The tests were conducted once a year at the end of the school year.

RESULTS:

A progress test was conducted across 13 services with 259 residents. Our results demonstrated that resident scores improved over the years (P < 0.0001) and had a moderate correlation with the Brazilian Opthalmology Council specialist test (P = 0.0156).

CONCLUSION:

The progress test can be considered a valuable tool to assess knowledge, meaning their knowledge increased over residency training. In addition, it can be used as a predictor of the result in the specialist title test.

KEYWORDS (MeSH terms):
Ophthalmology; Education, medical; Internship and residency

AUTHORS’ KEYWORDS:
Knowledge assessment; Longitudinal evaluation; Online test; Residency; Medical residency

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge assessment plays an important role in medical education since professional expertise development appears to be strongly connected to knowledge.11 Van Der Vleuten CP. The assessment of professional competence: Developments, research and practical implications. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 1996;1(1):41-67. PMID: 24178994; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00596229.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00596229...
Research has shown that assessment may be used in different ways. For example, studies have demonstrated that assessment drives and stimulates learning,22 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Cohen-Schotanus J, Tio RA. Assessment programs to enhance learning. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2018;23(1):17-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2017.1341143.
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,33 Wood T. Assessment not only drives learning, it may also help learning. Med Educ. 2009;43(1):5-6. PMID: 19140992; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.2008.03237.x.
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provides educational efficacy information to institutions and teachers, and protects patients.11 Van Der Vleuten CP. The assessment of professional competence: Developments, research and practical implications. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 1996;1(1):41-67. PMID: 24178994; https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00596229.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00596229...

The definitions of “to test” in the dictionary are as follows: to discover the worth of something by trial, to obtain more information about the object of assessment, and to improve the quality of something by trial.44 Norcini J, Anderson B, Bollela V, et al. Criteria for good assessment: consensus statement and recommendations from the Ottawa 2010 Conference. Med Teach. 2011;33(3):206-14. PMID: 21345060; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2011.551559.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2011.55...
Thus, assessment in the broader sense involves testing, measuring, collecting, combining information, and providing feedback.44 Norcini J, Anderson B, Bollela V, et al. Criteria for good assessment: consensus statement and recommendations from the Ottawa 2010 Conference. Med Teach. 2011;33(3):206-14. PMID: 21345060; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2011.551559.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2011.55...

In many medical residency programs, modular, intermediate, or final tests have been used to measure the knowledge level of trainees.55 Verhoeven BH, Snellen-Balendong HA, Hay IT, et al. The versatility of progress testing assessed in an international context: a start for benchmarking global standardization? Med Teach. 2005;27(6):514-20. PMID: 16199358; https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590500136238.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159050013623...
,66 Nouns ZM, Georg W. Progress testing in German speaking countries. Med Teach. 2010;32(6):467-70. PMID: 20515374; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2010.485656.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2010.48...
However, these types of tests are associated with the promotion of short-term memorization.55 Verhoeven BH, Snellen-Balendong HA, Hay IT, et al. The versatility of progress testing assessed in an international context: a start for benchmarking global standardization? Med Teach. 2005;27(6):514-20. PMID: 16199358; https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590500136238.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159050013623...
In addition, residents' performance may not correspond to the real knowledge level since it is merely a one-point measurement, not allowing any extrapolation to the maintained knowledge level over time.77 Dijksterhuis MG, Scheele F, Schuwirth LW, et al. Progress testing in postgraduate medical education. Med Teach. 2009;31(10):e464-8. PMID: 19877854; https://doi.org/10.3109/01421590902849545.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159090284954...
To benefit students' long-term retention, longitudinal testing in the form of the progress test, the most known and established kind of longitudinal test, has been suggested.22 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Cohen-Schotanus J, Tio RA. Assessment programs to enhance learning. Physical Therapy Reviews. 2018;23(1):17-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2017.1341143.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10833196.2017.13...
,88 Wrigley W, van der Vleuten CP, Freeman A, Muijtjens A. A systemic framework for the progress test: strengths, constraints and issues: AMEE Guide No. 71. Med Teach. 2012;34(9):683-97. PMID: 22905655; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.704437.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.70...

Progress testing aims to measure students' knowledge at the end level and allows the measurement of knowledge growth.88 Wrigley W, van der Vleuten CP, Freeman A, Muijtjens A. A systemic framework for the progress test: strengths, constraints and issues: AMEE Guide No. 71. Med Teach. 2012;34(9):683-97. PMID: 22905655; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.704437.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.70...
,99 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Bicudo AM, Hamamoto Filho PT. Progress testing as a pattern of excellence for the assessment of medical students’ knowledge: concepts, history, and perspective. Medicina (Ribeirão Preto). 2021 Jul 16;54(1):e173770. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11449/229239. Accessed in 2022 (Jul 5).
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/229239...
In addition, progress testing forces students to study over time, encouraging more profound and deep learning1010 Rutgers DR, van Raamt F, van Lankeren W, et al. Fourteen years of progress testing in radiology residency training: experiences from The Netherlands. Eur Radiol. 2018;28(5):2208-15. PMID: 29196854; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-8.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-...
since it is impossible for students to cram before the test. Alternatively, students must acquire information continuously in such a way that it is available when required.1111 McHarg J, Bradley P, Chamberlain S, et al. Assessment of progress tests. Med Educ. 2005;39(2):221-7. PMID: 15679690; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2004.02060.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2929.2004...
Progress tests allow for individual learning pathways, which may provide clues for future performance. Finally, progress testing can be organized at a national level77 Dijksterhuis MG, Scheele F, Schuwirth LW, et al. Progress testing in postgraduate medical education. Med Teach. 2009;31(10):e464-8. PMID: 19877854; https://doi.org/10.3109/01421590902849545.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159090284954...
and can be used to compare the results of candidates from different countries.55 Verhoeven BH, Snellen-Balendong HA, Hay IT, et al. The versatility of progress testing assessed in an international context: a start for benchmarking global standardization? Med Teach. 2005;27(6):514-20. PMID: 16199358; https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590500136238.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159050013623...

Progress tests have been used in different ways, such as for providing feedback to students,1212 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Kerdijk W, Jaarsma AD, Tio RA. Development of cognitive processing and judgments of knowledge in medical students: Analysis of progress test results. Med Teach. 2016;38(11):1125-9. PMID: 27117670; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2016.1170781.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2016.11...
,1313 Hamamoto Filho PT, Silva E, Ribeiro ZMTet al. Relationships between Bloom's taxonomy, judges’ estimation of item difficulty and psychometric properties of items from a progress test: a prospective observational study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2020;138(1):33-9. PMID: 32321103; https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2019.0459.R1.19112019.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2019.0...
understanding knowledge growth on questions requiring lower and higher order of cognitive processing,1212 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Kerdijk W, Jaarsma AD, Tio RA. Development of cognitive processing and judgments of knowledge in medical students: Analysis of progress test results. Med Teach. 2016;38(11):1125-9. PMID: 27117670; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2016.1170781.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2016.11...
,1313 Hamamoto Filho PT, Silva E, Ribeiro ZMTet al. Relationships between Bloom's taxonomy, judges’ estimation of item difficulty and psychometric properties of items from a progress test: a prospective observational study. Sao Paulo Med J. 2020;138(1):33-9. PMID: 32321103; https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2019.0459.R1.19112019.
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-3180.2019.0...
comparing national1414 Verhoeven BH, Verwijnen GM, Scherpbier AJJ, et al. An analysis of progress test results of PBL and nonPBL students. Med Teach. 1998; 20(4):310-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/01421599880724.
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and international curricula,1515 Albano MG, Cavallo F, Hoogenboom R, et al. An international comparison of knowledge levels of medical students: the Maastricht Progress Test. Med Educ. 1996;30(4):239-45. PMID: 8949534; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.1996.tb00824.x.
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and the effectiveness of educational strategies.1616 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Aalders WS, Bremers AJA, Tio RA, de Vries J. The Impact of Curriculum Design in the Acquisition of Knowledge of Oncology: Comparison Among Four Medical Schools. J Cancer Educ. 2018 Oct;33(5):1110-1114. PMID: 28374229; https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1219-2.
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,1717 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Aalders WS, de Vries J, Tio RA. The Impact of Massed and Spaced-Out Curriculum in Oncology Knowledge Acquisition. J Cancer Educ. 2018;33(4):922-5. PMID: 28194581; https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1190-y.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1190-...
Many medical schools worldwide have already adopted this progress testing as part of their curricula, such as the Netherlands,1818 Verhoeven BH, Verwijnen GM, Scherpbier AJ, van der Vleuten CP. Growth of medical knowledge. Med Educ. 2002;36(8):711-7. PMID: 12191053; https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2923.2002.01268.x.
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Canada,1919 Blake JM, Norman GR, Keane DR, et al. Introducing progress testing in McMaster University's problem-based medical curriculum: psychometric properties and effect on learning. Acad Med. 1996;71(9):1002-7. PMID: 9125989; https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-199609000-00016.
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Germany,66 Nouns ZM, Georg W. Progress testing in German speaking countries. Med Teach. 2010;32(6):467-70. PMID: 20515374; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2010.485656.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2010.48...
Indonesia, South Africa, the United States,2020 Ferreira RC. Relação entre o desempenho no teste de progresso e na seleção para residência médica [thesis]. Campinas: Universidade Estadual de Campinas; 2019. and Brazil.2121 Bicudo AM, Hamamoto Filho PT, Abbade JF, Hafner MLMB, Maffei CML. Teste de Progresso em Consórcios para Todas as Escolas Médicas do Brasil. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(4):151-6. https://doi.org/10.1590/1981-52712015v43n4RB20190018.
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,2222 Conselho Federal de Medicina. VII Fórum Nacional de Ensino Médico [Internet]. Available from: http://www.eventos.cfm.org.br/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21090. Accessed in 2022 (Jul 5).
http://www.eventos.cfm.org.br/index.php?...

Despite being a well-established assessment tool in the undergraduate context, progress testing is much less widespread in the postgraduate context, where the best test format remains controversial.2323 Ravesloot C, van der Schaaf M, Haaring C, et al. Construct validation of progress testing to measure knowledge and visual skills in radiology. Med Teach. 2012;34(12):1047-55. PMID: 22931139; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.716177.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.71...
Some authors believe that, at least in theory, longitudinal tests would also be an interesting approach to knowledge assessment in postgraduate medical education.77 Dijksterhuis MG, Scheele F, Schuwirth LW, et al. Progress testing in postgraduate medical education. Med Teach. 2009;31(10):e464-8. PMID: 19877854; https://doi.org/10.3109/01421590902849545.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159090284954...
So far, only a few residency programs have already included the progress test in their curricula, such as in obstetrics and gynecology,2424 Dijksterhuis MG, Scheele F, Schuwirth LW, et al. Progress testing in postgraduate medical education. Med Teach. 2009;31(10):e464-8. PMID: 19877854; https://doi.org/10.3109/01421590902849545.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159090284954...
radiology, and in general practice,1010 Rutgers DR, van Raamt F, van Lankeren W, et al. Fourteen years of progress testing in radiology residency training: experiences from The Netherlands. Eur Radiol. 2018;28(5):2208-15. PMID: 29196854; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-8.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-...
,2525 Dijksterhuis MG, Schuwirth LW, Braat DD, Scheele F. An exploratory study into the impact and acceptability of formatively used progress testing in postgraduate obstetrics and gynaecology. Perspect Med Educ. 2013;2(3):126-41. PMID: 27023455; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-013-0063-2.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-013-0063-...
demonstrating promising results.

The World Reference Institution in ophthalmology residency programs is the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO). According to the ICO, medical knowledge is one of the general core competencies expected from ophthalmic specialists (besides patient care, practice-based learning and improvement, communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice).2626 Tso MO, Goldberg MF, Lee AG, et al. An international strategic plan to preserve and restore vision: four curricula of ophthalmic education. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007;143(5):859-65. PMID: 17452171; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2007.01.055.
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,2727 ICO Residency Curriculum 2nd Edition and Updated Community Eye Health Section.. San Francisco, CA: International Council of Ophthalmology; 2016. Available from: https://dansk-oftalmologisk-selskab.dk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/161216-updated-ico-residency-curriculum.pdf. Accessed in 2022 (Jul 8).
https://dansk-oftalmologisk-selskab.dk/w...

Progress testing during residency could play an important role in monitoring the competence progress. Besides, it could be useful for the quality control of residency programs in Brazil, by allowing interventions during the course. In addition, the tests can serve as self-learning tools for residents. Finally, it can be useful to predict residents' results in the specialist test of the Brazilian Opthalmology Council.2828 Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia [Internet]. Available from: https://www.cbo.net.br/. Accessed in 2022 (Jun 5).
https://www.cbo.net.br/...

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate residents' knowledge growth during their residency training. This study also describes the implementation of a progress test in ophthalmological residency training across several medical schools in Brazil. Finally, this study aimed to investigate whether there was a correlation between the performance of the progress test and the specialist title test.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study carried out through an online platform.

This study was approved by the ethics committee of Universidade Estadual de Campinas on December 17, 2018 (CAAE number:02613718.9.0000.5404).

Participants: The study was conducted in 2019. All participants were ophthalmology residents who agreed to participate voluntarily in the study and signed a consent form.

Ophthalmology Residency in Brazil

In Brazil, the ophthalmology residency consists of a 3 years program.

The institution that represents the Brazilian Ophthalmology is the Brazilian Ophthalmology Council (Conselho Brasileiro de Oftomologia, CBO).2828 Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia [Internet]. Available from: https://www.cbo.net.br/. Accessed in 2022 (Jun 5).
https://www.cbo.net.br/...
According to the CBO, the minimum pedagogic program required for the ophthalmology specialization consists of the following content:

  1. Basic sciences: 100% in the 1st year and 0% in the 2nd and 3rd year

  2. Propaedeutics: 60% in the 1st year, 30% in the 2nd, and 10% in the 3rd year

  3. Optometry: 50% in the 1st year, 50% in the 2nd, and 0% in the 3rd year

  4. Surgical techniques: 50% in the 1st year, 50% in the 2nd, and 0% in the 3rd year

  5. Clinics and surgery: 25% in the 1st year, 50% in the 2nd, and 25% in the 3rd year

Besides this mandatory content, there may be complementary activities, such as clinical case discussions, pathological anatomy sections, and scientific article discussions.2828 Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia [Internet]. Available from: https://www.cbo.net.br/. Accessed in 2022 (Jun 5).
https://www.cbo.net.br/...

Progress test construction and application

The progress test consisted of 125 multiple-choice questions on clinical and surgical issues in ophthalmology. The blueprint followed the same pattern as the Brazilian Ophthalmology Council specialist test:2828 Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia [Internet]. Available from: https://www.cbo.net.br/. Accessed in 2022 (Jun 5).
https://www.cbo.net.br/...

  • uveitis: 9 questions;

  • neuro ophthalmology: 7 questions;

  • orbit: 4 questions;

  • lacrimal system: 4 questions;

  • ocular plastics: 8 questions;

  • ocular tumors: 5 questions;

  • cornea: 14 questions;

  • contact lenses: 4 questions;

  • refractive surgery: 2 questions;

  • retina: 13 questions;

  • cataract: 10 questions;

  • glaucoma: 11 questions;

  • refraction: 23 questions;

  • strabismus: 7 questions;

  • low vision: 4 questions.

The Graphic 1 shows the division of the test questions.

Graphic 1
Division of the test questions.

As the tests consisted of 125 multiple-choice questions, for the statistical analysis, a 0.08 value corresponds to 10/125 for each correct answer; thus, it was attributed to a score that could vary from 0 to 10 for each test.

The questions in the tests were taken from the following books: Review Questions in Opthalmology,2929 Chern KC, Saidel M, editors. Review questions in ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2015. Clinical Optics and Refraction,3030 Heidary F, Rahimi A, Gharebaghi R. Clinical Optics and Refraction 313 Key Questions Answered. Shiraz, Iran: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2013 and Self-tests in Optic and Refraction.3131 Chua CN. Self-tests in optics and refraction. Kelana Jaya: Alco Malaysia; 2007. They were chosen according to the issue and level of difficulty (judged by the authors), in a way that there were questions of different issues and levels of difficulty.

As there were residents from many parts of the country, the tests were online, and all the residents from the 1st to the 3rd year of the ophthalmology residency programs performed the tests simultaneously. Therefore, all residents were enrolled in the same test, regardless of whether they were in their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of residency. The tests were conducted once a year at the end of the school year.

Each service organized the implementation of the tests, and the only requirement was that all residents sat on the test simultaneously. Some services used their own informatic lab rooms, while those that did not have one allowed their residents to use their own computers, either at the service or at home, at a predetermined schedule, as long as there was one computer for each resident.

Site

First, participants had to create an account. Once completed, they were able to access the site. Figures 14 show a small portion of the site.

Figure 1
Presentation page.
Figure 2
Test page.
Figure 3
Feedback page.
Figure 4
Example of a discussion feedback.

The presentation page contains some important advice to read and the consent term that had to be signed before the test itself (Figure 1).

The test page contained the test itself. Once completed, participants had to submit their answers. Immediately after the submission, the participant received feedback (Figure 2).

The feedback page shows the number of correct and incorrect answers, the time spent performing the test, and the score (Figure 3).

Figure 4 shows the correct answers and explanations.

Data analysis

Frequency tables were used for the descriptive analysis of categorical variables. Positions and dispersion measures were used for numeric variables. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the differences between years, followed by Dunn's test to identify significant differences.

The Friedman or Wilcoxon test was used to compare students' knowledge growth.

To investigate the relationship between the progress test and CBO scores, the Spearman linear correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon test for related samples were conducted.

A statistical level of 0.05 was considered significant.

Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) System for Windows (Statistical Analysis System), version 9.4. SAS Institute Inc, 2002-2012, Cary, North Carolina, United States.

RESULTS

Among the many ophthalmology residents all around Brazil invited to join the study, 24 accepted the invitation. A total of 297 residents participated in the progress test. Of these, 100 (33.7%) were from the 1st year, 108 (36.4%) from the 2nd year, and 89 (30.0%) from the 3rd year.

Descriptive analysis and comparison of the scores for each residency year

The mean score of the 1st year residents was 4.3, that of the 2nd year residents was 5.1, and that of the 3rd year residents was 5.4. Table 1 and Graphic 2 show the descriptive analysis and comparison of scores for each residency year.

Graphic 2
Descriptive analysis of the scores for each residency year.
Table 1
Descriptive analysis and comparison of the scores for each residency year

The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the mean scores across the three years of residency. The P value was < 0.0001, which was considered statistically significant. Therefore, it is possible that there was a difference between the mean scores.

The Wilcoxon test was used for multiple comparisons of the mean scores for each pair of the residency years (1st versus 2nd, 1st versus 3rd, and 2nd versus 3rd) to check the difference between the pairs. There was a significant difference between the 1st and 2nd years and the 1st and 3rd years of residency (P < 0.0001 in both cases). However, the difference between the 2nd and 3rd years of residency was not significant (P = 0.0619). This may be because of the pedagogic program itself since, if we look at it, we can see that almost all the theoretical content was taught in the first two years of residency, with only a small percentage remaining in the 3rd year of residency.

Relationship between the progress test and Brazilian Ophthalmology Council (CBO) scores (Table 2 and Graphic 3)

Graphic 3
Spearman linear correlation between the progress test and Brazilian Ophthalmology Council (CBO) scores.
Table 2
Relationship between the progress test and CBO scores

For this analysis, we had only eight residents from the 3rd year. Correlation analysis demonstrated an association between the progress test and CBO scores. Spearman correlation (Graphic 3) showed a positive and significant correlation between these two scores (which was 0.61), which means that the higher the score on the progress test, the higher the score on the CBO test.

DISCUSSION

In this study, we demonstrated that progress tests could be used for ophthalmology residency training. They helped to detect the residents' knowledge growth over time and had a moderate relationship with the CBO test. Our findings are aligned with previous studies in both undergraduate88 Wrigley W, van der Vleuten CP, Freeman A, Muijtjens A. A systemic framework for the progress test: strengths, constraints and issues: AMEE Guide No. 71. Med Teach. 2012;34(9):683-97. PMID: 22905655; https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.704437.
https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2012.70...
,99 Cecilio-Fernandes D, Bicudo AM, Hamamoto Filho PT. Progress testing as a pattern of excellence for the assessment of medical students’ knowledge: concepts, history, and perspective. Medicina (Ribeirão Preto). 2021 Jul 16;54(1):e173770. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11449/229239. Accessed in 2022 (Jul 5).
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/229239...
,3232 Tomic ER, Martins MA, Lotufo PA, Benseñor IM. Progress testing: evaluation of four years of application in the school of medicine, University of São Paulo. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2005;60(5):389-96. PMID: 16254675; https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-59322005000500007.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-5932200500...
and residency training.1010 Rutgers DR, van Raamt F, van Lankeren W, et al. Fourteen years of progress testing in radiology residency training: experiences from The Netherlands. Eur Radiol. 2018;28(5):2208-15. PMID: 29196854; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-8.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-...
,3030 Heidary F, Rahimi A, Gharebaghi R. Clinical Optics and Refraction 313 Key Questions Answered. Shiraz, Iran: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 20133333 Dournes G, Bricault I, Chateil JF. Analysis of the French national evaluation of radiology residents. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2019;100(3):185-93. PMID: 30527527; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diii.2018.11.006.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diii.2018.11.0...
,3434 Ray JJ, Sznol JA, Teisch LF, et al. Association Between American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination Scores and Resident Performance. JAMA Surg. 2016;151(1):26-31. PMID: 26536059; https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2015.3088.
https://doi.org/10.1001/jamasurg.2015.30...

For example, in a study by Tomic et al., 4 years of progress testing were evaluated in a medical school in Brazil and positive results were found, with a continuum of cognitive gain during medical training.3232 Tomic ER, Martins MA, Lotufo PA, Benseñor IM. Progress testing: evaluation of four years of application in the school of medicine, University of São Paulo. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2005;60(5):389-96. PMID: 16254675; https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-59322005000500007.
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1807-5932200500...

Similarly, previous studies with longitudinal tests on the residency program1010 Rutgers DR, van Raamt F, van Lankeren W, et al. Fourteen years of progress testing in radiology residency training: experiences from The Netherlands. Eur Radiol. 2018;28(5):2208-15. PMID: 29196854; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-8.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-...
,2929 Chern KC, Saidel M, editors. Review questions in ophthalmology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer; 2015.,3030 Heidary F, Rahimi A, Gharebaghi R. Clinical Optics and Refraction 313 Key Questions Answered. Shiraz, Iran: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 2013 found that the progress test was able to detect the difference3333 Dournes G, Bricault I, Chateil JF. Analysis of the French national evaluation of radiology residents. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2019;100(3):185-93. PMID: 30527527; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diii.2018.11.006.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diii.2018.11.0...
,3535 Mauro GP, Najas GF, Carvalho HA, Villar RC. Prospective validation of a core curriculum progress assimilation instrument for radiation oncology residentship. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2020;25(6):951-5. PMID: 33100910; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpor.2020.09.003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpor.2020.09.0...
among residency years. Taken together, the knowledge scores increased over the years. 1010 Rutgers DR, van Raamt F, van Lankeren W, et al. Fourteen years of progress testing in radiology residency training: experiences from The Netherlands. Eur Radiol. 2018;28(5):2208-15. PMID: 29196854; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-8.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5138-...
,3535 Mauro GP, Najas GF, Carvalho HA, Villar RC. Prospective validation of a core curriculum progress assimilation instrument for radiation oncology residentship. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2020;25(6):951-5. PMID: 33100910; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpor.2020.09.003.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rpor.2020.09.0...

Concerning the relationship between the progress and CBO tests, our results were partially in concordance with those of previous studies. For example, in an undergraduate context, a study by Hamamoto Filho et al. found a correlation between students' progress testing scores and their performance in a residency selection process in Brazil.3636 Hamamoto Filho PT, de Arruda Lourenção PLT, do Valle AP, Abbade JF, Bicudo AM. The Correlation Between Students’ Progress Testing Scores and Their Performance in a Residency Selection Process. Med Sci Educ. 2019;29(4):1071-5. PMID: 34457585; https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-019-00811-4.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-019-00811...

In the residency context, a descriptive study by Al-Mohammed A et al.3737 Al-Mohammed A, Al Mohanadi D, Rahil A, et al. Evaluation of Progress of an ACGME-International Accredited Residency Program in Qatar. Qatar Med J. 2020;2020(1):6. PMID: 32300550; https://doi.org/10.5339/qmj.2020.6.
https://doi.org/10.5339/qmj.2020.6...
compared the residents' performance on the American College of Physicians (ACP) Internal Medicine In-Training Examination (IM-ITE) results and the certification examination of the American Board of Internal Medicine (CABIM) and American Board of Surgery Qualifying Examinations in Qatar, found that the performance on the ITE could accurately predict the performance on both qualifying exams,3131 Chua CN. Self-tests in optics and refraction. Kelana Jaya: Alco Malaysia; 2007. which is in concordance with our results.

Therefore, our study is in concordance with previous studies performed by residents. What makes our study exclusive is that besides being performed in a country where there are almost no similar studies, it is, as far as we are concerned, the only one performed with ophthalmology residents.

For the future

Two more different tests will be developed, and each test will be used at the end of the school year by all the residents from the 1st to the 3rd year of the ophthalmology residency programs.

All the tests will have the same number of questions (125). They will follow the same division of national testing issues; however, the questions will be completely different from one test to another. In other words, all questions will be changed from the 1st year to another. Thus, at the end of the 3 years of residency, each resident performed three different tests.

After the end of the tests, the tests will be revised, and each resident will receive individual performance feedback through an online program developed with personal login and password.

Limitations of the study

In some services, the residents were allowed to do the test at home because the service did not have informatics labs or an appropriate classroom for them to perform the tests. This can be biased because we cannot guarantee they did not cheat on the test. In addition, as participation in the study was voluntary and the progress test score was not part of the official residency program, some residents did not take it seriously. Finally, our sample size for comparison of the progress and CBO tests was small. However, even with such a small sample size, we found a moderate and significant correlation.

CONCLUSION

Based on the data obtained, it is possible to see that the scores of the residents improved over the years, which means that their knowledge increased. In other words, there was progress along the residency course.

Residents approved the longitudinal test as a self-learning tool and as a tool for improving residency programs. Therefore, we can say that the implementation of a longitudinal evaluation system in ophthalmological residency schools in Brazil was successful and could be implemented in other medical subspecialties.

  • Hospital de Clínicas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (HC/FCM/UNICAMP), Campinas (SP), Brazil
  • Sources of funding: None

Acknowledgements:

We would like to thank the statistical sector of the Faculty of Medical Sciences and the team of students and professors of the statistics department of the Institute of Mathematics, Statistics, and Scientific Computing of the State University of Campinas for the data analysis

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    03 Oct 2022
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    03 Mar 2022
  • Reviewed
    05 June 2022
  • Accepted
    01 July 2022
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