USMLE step one, otolaryngology in-training examination scores, and the American Board of Otolaryngology examination performance

Abstract

Beth N. McNulty, Jeffrey M. Bumpous,Jarrod A. Little,Julie L.Goldman

To determine if U. S. Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Step One scores have a positive correlation with performance on the annual Otolaryngology Training Examination (OTE) and subsequent performance on the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) examination. Study Design: A retrospective cohort study of 70 residents completing Otolaryngology residencies from 2005-2009. 103 otolaryngology training programs were contacted and USMLE Step 1 scores, OTE scores, and performance on the ABOto examination were collected for the graduating chief residents from 2005-2009 from a limited number of residency programs. The associations between the examinations were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Pearson’s correlation. USMLE Step 1 scores and board performance were provided for 70 residents from 7 Otolaryngology residency programs. Positive correlations were found using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation to be significant for USMLE Step 1 scores compared with scores on the OTE-2, OTE-3, OTE-4, OTE-5 (p<0.05) and the board examination (p<0.05). Statistically significant correlation was seen between the OTE-4 score and performance on the board examination using both Pearson’s and Spearman’s (p<0.05), but not for the OTE-2, OTE-3, OTE-5 and performance on the written board examination. An objective criterion for interview selection is the USMLE Step 1 score; we found a positive correlation with performance on the annual OTE and subsequent performance on the American Board of Otolaryngology examination. Only the OTE-4 score was found to positively correlate with board examination performance. Larger sample size and longitudinal follow-up is necessary to establish the significance of these findings