Open AccessManual Dexterity Aptitude Testing: A Soap Study
Author(s) -
Tang Christopher G.,
Hilsinger Raymond L.,
Cruz Raul M.,
Schloegel Luke J.,
Byl Frederick M.,
Rasgon Barry M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812451426a44
Subject(s) - aptitude , otorhinolaryngology , graduation (instrument) , likert scale , medicine , medical education , psychology , surgery , mathematics , developmental psychology , geometry
Objective To determine whether or not manual dexterity aptitude testing in the form of soap carving during otolaryngology residency interviews at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center predicts surgical skill at the time of graduation from otolaryngology residency programs. Methods Over the past 25 years, applicants to the residency program at Kaiser Permanente Oakland were required to carve soap. This study was conducted to determine how applicants with the best and worst soaps compared at the time of graduation with respect to various metrics including visiospatial ability and manual dexterity. Results The best and worst soaps from 1990 to 2006 were determined. Sixty‐two individuals qualified for the study and matriculated into otolaryngology residency programs. Surveys were sent to their residency programs to evaluate those individuals on a 5‐point Likert scale in various categories. There was no difference between individuals with the “best soaps” and those with the “worst soaps” in all categories: cognitive knowledge, visiospatial ability, manual dexterity, decision making, and overall score ( P >. 1 for all categories). There was a 95% response rate with 35 of 37 residency programs responding, and 59 of 62 surveys returned. Conclusion Although further studies need to be conducted to determine the role of manual dexterity and visiospatial aptitude testing in the otolaryngology application process, individuals who have the “best soaps” did not score higher than those with the “worst soaps” in several metrics.