MEASURING THE ABILITY OF RESIDENTS TO MANAGE ONCOLOGIC PROBLEMS

Background: An OSCE was used to measure the ability of a cohort of res idents to manage oncologic problems. Methods: Nine oncologic clinical problems were presented to 56 surgical residents. Each problem contain ed a 5-minute data-gathering period (DGP) and a 5-minute data-interpre tation period (DIP). A performance score was determined for each resid ent for each problem. Reliability was estimated by coefficient alpha; validity, by the construct of experience, Wilks's lambda criterion was used to determine whether training level could be identified by OSCE performance. Results: The DGP reliability was 0.80; the DIP: 0.49. Sen ior residents performed significantly better than junior residents (P = 0.0001), who performed significantly better than interns (P = 0.0009 ), Of the residents, 62% were competent on the DGP, but only 21% on th e DIP. Important deficits in knowledge and clinical skills were-appare nt at all levels of training. Conclusion: The education and evaluation of residents in oncology need improvement. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.