Can We Predict Final Outcome of Internal Medicine Residents with In-Training Evaluation
Nitipatana Chierakul MD*, Supot Pongprasobchai MD*, Kanokwan Boonyapisit MD*, Yingyong Chinthammitr MD*, Manop Pithukpakorn MD*, Adisak Maneesai MD*, Apiradee Srivijitkamol MD*, Pornpan Koomanachai MD*, Ajchara Koolvisoot MD*, Tawesak Tanwandee MD*, Chairat Shayakul MD*, Udom Kachintorn MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To assess the predictive value of in-training evaluation for determining future success in the internal medicine
board certifying examination.
Material and Method: Ninety-seven internal medicine residents from Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital who undertake the
Thai Board examination during the academic year 2006-2008 were enrolled. Correlation between the scores during internal
medicine rotation and final scores in board examination were then examined.
Results : Significant positive linear correlation was found between scores from both written and clinical parts of board
certifying examination and scores from the first-year summative written and clinical examinations and also the second-year
formative written examination (r = 0.43-0.68, p < 0.001). Monthly evaluation by attending staffs was less well correlated (r
= 0.29-0.36) and the evaluation by nurses or medical students demonstrated inverse relationship (r = -0.2, p = 0.27 and r =
-0.13, p = 0.48).
Conclusion : Some methods of in-training evaluation can predict successful outcome of board certifying examination.
Multisource assessments cannot well extrapolate some aspects of professional competences and qualities.
Keywords : Internal medicine, Board certifying examination, In-training evaluation
