Mock Oral Board Examinations via Web‐based Video Teleconferencing in the Era of COVID‐19

Abstract

Owing to infection control measures necessitated by the COVID‐19 pandemic, many educational didactic components within residency programs have needed to adapt to virtual formats. We describe and evaluate the transition of an in‐person mock oral board certification examination to an entirely virtual format. Oral board cases consisting of two single cases and one triple case were adapted to a virtual format using a Web‐based video teleconferencing platform. Faculty examiners underwent 20‐minute training sessions prior to the examination. Both resident examinees and faculty examiners completed postexamination surveys. The system usability scale (SUS) was used to assess the usability of the new format by the faculty examiners. Fifteen resident examinees completed the mock virtual oral board examination with eight faculty examiners. All faculty members completed the postexamination survey. The mean (±SD) SUS score was 90.6 (±11.5) out of a maximum of 100. Eleven of 15 (73%) resident examinees completed the postexamination survey. All respondents agreed or strongly agreed that examiner instructions were easy to understand and that examiners were adept at using the Web‐based platform. Some technical issues were encountered including audio difficulties for some examiners. Respondents were split regarding personal preference for virtual or in‐person mock oral board formats. Utilizing video teleconferencing software to provide a virtual, Web‐based alternative to in‐person mock oral board examination was feasible, and the virtual format was shown to have high usability despite minimal training time for experienced faculty examiners.

Implementation of the Vascular Surgery Board virtual certifying examination

“…The learning curve for implementing the VCE was relatively brief, although perhaps not surprising in the COVID-19 era, with the widespread proliferation of electronic meetings. 1 , 3 The number of IT malfunctions was fairly small. However, it should be emphasized that these had been anticipated and that safeguards had been implemented to remediate them accordingly.…”

Feasibility and acceptability of virtual mock oral examinations for senior vascular surgery trainees and implications for the certifying exam

“…The positive-trending feedback of MOEs, especially those that are done virtually, in turn has led to an increased interest in the use of virtual platforms for administering MOEs. [7][8][9] MOEs are just one example of traditionally in-person events being shifted to a virtual paradigm due to the pandemic. Other educational forums, such as meetings and conferences, have had to adapt to the changing landscape of medical education, as well.…”

“…Virtual methods for medical trainee examination and assessment have become increasingly more prevalent due to COVID-19 and initial reviews have shown them to be adequate alternatives to traditional in-person educational paradigms. [8][9][10][11] The absence of major technological issues with administration of both the mock oral exam and recent vascular surgery oral board exam virtually is evidence of the practical utilization of alternative methods to in-person assessment and educational training. 6 As a result, some discrepancy between PDs and trainees in this study might represent different points of view instead of major issues with VMO per se.…”

Using high-fidelity simulation for testing purposes: the experience of the European Board Examination in Emergency Medicine

“…(1) to perform an initial assessment based on the Airways, Breathing, Circulation, Disability and Exposure approach, (2) to obtain an appropriate medical history based on the Allergy, Medications, Previous illness, Last meal and Event, (3) to formulate an initial management plan for the impending shock, (4) to recognize and manage hemodynamic deterioration, (5) to diagnose the cause of the instability and to plan appropriate actions for the management, (6) to communicate effectively the diagnosis and the plan to the patient.…”

“…This resulted in a reduction in the high expenditure related to organizing this examination face-to-face. The pandemic forced the movement of the oral component of the exam in the virtual modality, not only for EBEEM but even for American Board examination [5].…”