Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36967408›Full record

ArticleCJEM2023

Fear, health impacts, and life delays: residents' certification exam year experience.

Michelle Onlock, Laila Nasser, Tara Riddell, Natasha Snelgrove, Kaif Pardhan

Open access · bronzeAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in CJEM, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact, top 95% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed, 0 citations in OpenAlex.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Michelle OnlockDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-7562-1141
Laila NasserDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3347-7107
Tara RiddellDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-5720-5002
Natasha SnelgroveDepartment of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-3850-6595
Kaif PardhanDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. kaif.pardhan@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0003-3628-2241
University of Toronto · CAMcMaster University · CA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundResidency training is associated with risks of burnout and impaired well-being. This may be due to multiple factors, including navigating various transitions. Chief among these is the transition to independent practice which, in Canada, involves a certification exam administered by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada. This qualitative study explored the experience of residents in their examination year, including residents impacted by pandemic-related examination postponment, to understand how these experiences may impact residents' well-being.

methodsQualitative description methodology was used for this study. Participants were residents and physicians in independent practice from McMaster University and the University of Toronto. In depth, semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted by one of the investigators. Each was transcribed, reviewed, and coded by two members of the investigating team.

resultsFive themes were identified. Examinations were perceived to be a significant stressor, and the extent of preparation involved was viewed as a threat to one's physical and mental well-being. Participants identified a culture of fear surrounding the exam, as well as a perception that exam preparation requires significant sacrifice which can exacerbate the impacts of the exam year. Personal and professional supports were identified as important protective factors.

conclusionThis study has identified unique challenges in the examination year, and its impact on the well-being of residents immediately before they enter independent practice. Residents also experienced significant learning and a sense of accomplishment through their preparation for the examination. The COVID-19 pandemic had a unique impact on one cohort of residents. This should prompt medical education institutions to examine the support provided to residents, the culture surrounding certification examinations, and mitigation strategies for future examination disruptions.

Indexed as

COVID-19Internship and ResidencyCertificationFearHumansPandemicsAssessmentBurnoutExaminationsMedical educationResidencyWellness

Identifiers

PMID36967408
PMCPMC10040228
OpenAlexW4360985355

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.