The Conundrum of the Struggling Resident: Designing a Curriculum for Successfully Passing a High Stakes Exam

Authors

Jennifer Dillow, University of New Mexico, School of MedicineFollow
Rebecca Gerlach, University of New Mexico, School of MedicineFollow
Davit Kocharyn, University of New Mexico, School of MedicineFollow
Bradley Graustein, University of New Mexico, School of MedicineFollow
Eli Torgeson, University of New Mexico, School of MedicineFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2-3-2023

Abstract

One of the biggest challenges for a program director is the adult learner who struggles with standardized testing and therefore, although they may be an excellent clinician, cannot advance in residency or become board certified. During anesthesiology residency, all residents take a standardized exam (The Basic Exam) during their second year which 15% of all residents fail and passing is required to continue to advance in residency – quite a conundrum. We developed a standardized curriculum for residents who failed their Basic Exam which involved weekly “teach back” sessions with identified faculty members focusing on missed keywords. The strategies employed in these sessions increase learner engagement, active learning techniques, and leaner centered teaching to take previous knowledge (leading to a failed exam) and changing the way they approach the material to increase the success of passing their high-stakes exam.

Comments

This poster was presented during the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Education Days.

Recommended Citation

Dillow, Jennifer; Rebecca Gerlach; Davit Kocharyn; Bradley Graustein; and Eli Torgeson. "The Conundrum of the Struggling Resident: Designing a Curriculum for Successfully Passing a High Stakes Exam." (2023). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_ed_day/152