They should do what Canada did!! Whoever passed the written exams got certified.
That didn't happen.They should do what Canada did!! Whoever passed the written exams got certified.
That didn't happen.
Orals were canned for this but writtens haven't happened for anyone yet.
Petition?
Plan to deliver the spring 2020 written exams this fall
On April 9, 2020, the Royal College announced its four-point plan to deliver the spring 2020 exams this fall, in response to these extraordinary times:
- Oral exams will not be required for the spring 2020 cohort. The spring 2020 candidates will not need to complete the oral component of the comprehensive exam.
The written exam format (MCQ, SAQ) and length will be unchanged and continues to be based on the objectives of training of the discipline.- Update on the fall 2020 subspecialty exams
- The Royal College will extend its four-point plan from spring examinationsto the fall 2020 comprehensive subspecialty exams. This decision applies to all candidates in the 11 affected subspecialties who are eligible for the fall 2020 exams, regardless of training (i.e. international medical graduates and U.S. graduates for the subspecialty examination affiliate program (SEAP) designation).
- Applied exams will not be required for fall 2020 candidates who are in disciplines with a comprehensive exam. You will be required to take only the written component.
- Fees for the oral exam will be refunded to you. We will reimburse your oral exam fee as quickly as possible. We will expedite these refunds to get the $2,215 fee back to you within the next 60 days, which will be refunded to your credit card.
Petition?
I wouldn’t complain if they axed orals altogether based on what appears to be wide spread acceptance of examiner bias,
Widespread according to whom? I don't know what it was like back in the heyday of 3 guys in a hotel room, but to me it seemed like the exam was relatively objective in that they both have their iPads and it's clear they're sort of going down a structured script as you progress through the stem.
I guess that’s a bold claim that’s unlikely valid. Bias probably isn’t the right word.
Was going based off Ultimate board prep...I’ve never taken the exam but UBP claims some examiners score more difficult than others to the point that the ABA statistically adjusts for it when grading. Said if examiners are too easy, hard, or easily sidetracked they supposedly don’t get invited back as examiners. No idea what’s true, just going based off those comments. My point was i don’t think a petition to try to do away with orals is warranted.
Just an update for those not taking the exam but following the thread out of curiousity...
The ABA announced they are proceeding with the exam in July with distancing measures. 2020 candidates are allowed to postpone boards based on our own personal assessments. Cancellation fees will be waived.
If future of covid precludes in person exams they will consider transitioning to virtual exams. Their goal is to get everyone through the exam by the end of 2021.
In my opinion, if we have a second wave that’s worse than the first and it’s truly dangerous to travel, I think virtual exams would be a consideration. I think their response so far has been appropriate. I wouldn’t complain if they axed orals altogether based on what appears to be wide spread acceptance of examiner bias, but this seems to be an issue unrelated to covid. I think I’d rather just proceed as they deem appropriate as i do see the value in the test for solidifying knowledge base and communication skills as a consultant.
I guess that’s a bold claim that’s unlikely valid. Bias probably isn’t the right word.
Was going based off Ultimate board prep...I’ve never taken the exam but UBP claims some examiners score more difficult than others to the point that the ABA statistically adjusts for it when grading. Said if examiners are too easy, hard, or easily sidetracked they supposedly don’t get invited back as examiners. No idea what’s true, just going based off those comments. My point was i don’t think a petition to try to do away with orals is warranted.
I was just thinking this too. North Carolina’s not looking too hot right now. It sucked when I got cancelled for my March test, but i feel bad for anyone studying for the test next month right now!With the **** hitting the fan in TX and other places, are they really planning on having orals next month????
I was just thinking this too. North Carolina’s not looking too hot right now. It sucked when I got cancelled for my March test, but i feel bad for anyone studying for the test next month right now!
100% agree. It's tough enough studying for the exam on a good year. Between getting pulled to the ICU and postponements of the exam, this years' group has truly hit a new level of stress surrounding this exam. If you're good enough to resuscitate a COVID patient, I think the ASA should reevaluate this year's strategy.agree... I can’t see it happening and people are once again studying hard to be cancelled probably. While battling covid on the front lines. Given the situation they should just waive it for this years class.
Just got an email from the ABA. They’re reassigning us dates for 2021 based on the order we were canceled this year. No plans for additional weeks in 2020 & no mention of a contingency plan for 2021 if Covid’s still a big issue (I.e. possibility for remote testing). in other words “we want your money & don‘t give a **** about any of you”agree... I can’t see it happening and people are once again studying hard to be cancelled probably. While battling covid on the front lines. Given the situation they should just waive it for this years class.
It is widely known that Anesthesiologists have an unusually high incidence of suicide compared to other specialties. Theories for why that is include easy access to mood altering medications, working often in a high stress situations, isolating nature of the field, etc. However....
I'm starting to think it's actually due to having to deal with the ABA
the ABA's response rate has been way slower than other fields.. they announced cancellations way after other boards, and many boards have switched to virtual.
Also right now, dont some north east states like NY have travel restrictions if coming from a high infection rate state? that would present a big issue for a lot of people
So by the time I take oral boards I'll have been practicing independently, mostly in an outpatient surgery center, for 2 years. Then I'll get asked about trauma in an achondroplastic 6yo with sickle-cell and Down syndrome or some such nonsense.
The ABA needs to ask themselves what the purpose of oral boards is, and whether their objective can reasonably be achieved 2 years out from residency.
LOL!!! You forgot to mention they may have MH & a jaw wired shut, +/- acute intermittent porphyria & scoliosis with a Cobb Angle of 120!So by the time I take oral boards I'll have been practicing independently, mostly in an outpatient surgery center, for 2 years. Then I'll get asked about trauma in an achondroplastic 6yo with sickle-cell and Down syndrome or some such nonsense.
The ABA needs to ask themselves what the purpose of oral boards is, and whether their objective can reasonably be achieved 2 years out from residency.
So they’llpetition to get rid of it for people this year . follow canada and europes footsteps
They said they’ll post the webinar on the aba Twitter soon. I didn’t watch it so I can’t comment. I got lucky and got it out of the way but it’s frustrating seeing you guys go through this. The main complaints with my colleagues is that they haven’t done a good job with communication nor have a solid plan.
My Houstonian colleagues realize they are coming in from a hot spot for week 7.5 but for fear of uncertainty with future oral board plans by the ABA they will not be cancelling. For what its worth, it is not uncommon for us to get e-mails/phone calls about our pts testing positive a few days after we've taken care of them (and presumed to be negative at that time, meaning inappropriate PPE measures).
Judging from the webinar, the ABA has not thought this through. They seem reluctant to change their ways. It's licensing > public health/safety for them.
How do ABA Board of Directors get into those roles? Is it some election or selection process?
Is anybody else as shocked as I am that they haven’t cancelled the 7/18-7/19 exams yet? As much as I want to be done with this I would definitely think twice about flying on a plane with crappy air circulation!
Because they have us by the balls unfortunately, but I agree with 100% of what you said!So, if we're being honest....what's the point of this exam? All of us "board eligible" attendings will continue to practice while waiting in limbo for our 2021 exam date. In that time we will, on average, perform adequately....just like we will do after eventually passing orals. We didn't need the board to bless us with their approval to do so. There will be some bad anesthesiologists and some great anesthesiologists who will all eventually pass the exam. I'm just wondering why we have to put ourselves through the financial and emotional stress of it, when in reality....it does not make the field of anesthesiology safer.
Because they have us by the balls unfortunately, but I agree with 100% of what you said!
Simple solution would be for 2020, if you passed the written boards, then you've thus passed the boards and are board-certified.
Many of us need this designation for jobs, hospital accreditation, and/or subspecialty boards eligibility.
Re-evaluate in spring 2021, or drop the orals altogether.
Aba website still says they will proceed with week 7.5 as a pilot, I guess that changed again at the very last minute?
Other than money, is there any reason for them to be this stressful and thoughtless? Many specialties do not require oral exam for board certification.
Model after Canada and let go of oral boards/osce until this pandemic is over!