RESIDENT DATA-COLLECTION - DO THE NUMBERS ADD UP

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to investigate methods for standardization of data collection across residency training programs in obstetrics a nd gynecology. STUDY DESIGN: A survey was developed and sent to all ac credited residency programs in the United States and Canada. It assess ed each program's current data collection method and whether the syste m could track discrepancies, account for completeness of data, or coll ect primary care data, The second part of the survey was designed to a ssess program director consistency in assignment of resident responsib ility. RESULTS: In 78.5% of programs residents used a paper-based syst em. Only 27.1% and 31.3% of the residency programs, respectively, had systems for resolving resident responsibility conflicts or determining accuracy percentages. Few (8.3%) program directors were able to colle ct primary care data. There were wide variations among program directo rs in assignment of resident responsibility in the simulated cases, in dicating different interpretations of Residency Review Committee repor ting criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Most resident data systems in use do not p romote or require standardization of data collection; therefore compar isons between programs would be difficult. The ideal system would be f lexible, require standardization of data collection, enable direct tra nsfer to Residency Review Committee forms, be translatable to any resi dency program, and allow meaningful intraprogram and interprogram comp arisons.