ACADEMIC REMEDIATION POLICY

(Effective 2008, updated August 2014, reviewed Dec. 2018)

 

  • Our department expects each resident to have as a minimum goal a ranking of 50% on the yearly In-Training Exam. Failure to achieve a percentile ranking of at least 30% on the In-Training Exam (ITE) will result in an automatic notification to the resident and their faculty mentor by the Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) of Academic Remediation status. A score of less than 30% rank correlates with a level that historically places you at risk of failing the ABA Written Board Examination.  Failure to pass the ABA BASIC Examination will also result in an automatic notification to the resident and their faculty mentor by the Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) of Academic Remediation status.
    • New residents taking the ITE at the CB levels are compared nationally to other residents at this level. This score is meant to establish a baseline of knowledge prior to formal anesthesiology training. We expect each resident to put forth their best effort.
    • Failing the ABA BASIC Examination (June PGY3) results in Academic Remediation status. Residents may retake the exam (November PGY3).  Failure to pass the exam a second time will be reviewed by the CCC and the resident contract may not be renewed for PGY4. Per the ABA, “a resident who fails the BASIC examination a second time will automatically receive an unsatisfactory for the CCC reporting period during which the examination was taken. After a third failed attempt at the BASIC Examination, a resident will be required to complete 6 months of additional training. Continuation of residency training is at the discretion of the individual training program.”
  • While on Academic Remediation the resident will meet the following requirements:
    • Meet with the CCC assigned faculty mentor to develop a formal, written study plan that includes action items, timeline and goals. This may include study sessions with mentor, reading schedules, alternative reading assignments and quizzes or essays based on assignments, completion of key word assignments, question banks, etc. Recognizing different learning and teaching styles, the emphasis is on developing an individualized program of study for each resident and following up with resident on progress on a regular basis. It is expected that the resident will be responsible to make the effort and coordinate meeting times with the mentor, not that the mentor will chase down the resident.
    • Meet with Program Director and CCC Chair to discuss your written study plan and goals developed with mentor input.
    • Maintain ³ 90% attendance at all lectures, case conferences and M&M conferences.
    • It is possible to limit late room assignments to increase available study time. This will be discussed on an individual case basis.
    • Resident Education Account will be restricted for use on books and approved Board Review Programs.  Funds may not be used for other professional meetings or phone/PDA purchases without individual approval from the Program Director.
  • All PGY2-4 (CA1-3) residents are required to take a knowledge based exam between July and December.  The ITE is given each March; this test score will be reviewed by CCC as part of January-June ABA report.  The following will be considered by the CCC as a knowledge base assessment for July-December ABA report:
    • PGY2- AKT-6 (UTMB-CB PGY2 and other CA1 residents)
    • PGY3- ABA BASICs of Anesthesia Exam
    • PGY4- AKT-24
  • A minimum national percentile ranking of 30% on the AKT or a passing score on the ABA BASIC Examination is required to be removed from Academic Remediation during the July-December grading period.
  • Scores on the ITE,, AKT, and AB BASIC Examination as well as monthly evaluations of Medical Knowledge are considered when the CCC scores the “Medical Knowledge” Milestone of the six month Clinical Competence Report to the American Board of Anesthesiology for each resident..