Objective: To conduct a scoping review of the incorporation of surgical skills
testing into the candidate selection process for residency programs and
surgical specialties, including Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Data Sources: The databases included Ovid MEDLINE (R) and Epub Ahead of Print,
In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, and Daily, Ovid EMBASE, Ovid
PsycINFO, Scopus, Ebsco CINAHL, OCLC ERIC, and Web of Science.
Methods of Study Selection: A comprehensive search from each database\'s
inception to March 31st, 2022 was conducted. The search strategy was designed
and conducted by an experienced librarian. Database subject headings
supplemented with key words were used to search. Two investigators worked
independently and in duplicate to screen all abstracts for inclusion (268
reviewed, 95 included). One author reviewed full manuscripts for final
inclusion (total 17), excluding those that did not describe the use of testing
during an interview day for use in candidate selection.
Tabulation, Integration and Results: No manuscripts described skills testing in
OBGYN, and instead occurred in general surgery or other surgical specialties.
Most programs informed applicants in advance of the use of skills testing. Some
programs established cohorts based on performance (lowest versus highest),
while others tabulated a score to be used during candidate selection.
Conclusion: Few surgical training programs utilize skills testing during the
interview. There is wide variation in
how skills testing is incorporated. Despite a common theme among surgical
programs of the importance of assessing a candidate\'s surgical skill, there is
a significant gap in the reality of its current use.
