SU‐GG‐E‐02: Radiology Residents Performance on Physics Examinations

Purpose To quantify radiology resident performance on radiological physics examinations, and investigate how this performance varies temporally. Method and Materials We analyzed results of online physics examinations consisting of 120 multiple choice questions covering all of radiological physics. In 2007, results were obtained for 121 residents in the eight week period immediately prior to the written ABR Physics examination. In 2008, results were obtained for 145 residents in the two week period immediately prior to the ABR Physics examination. The scores are presented as the absolute number of correct answers out of the 120 questions, where one of the five options was correct. Results In 2007, the median score increased from 59 when the examinations were taken eight weeks prior to the ABR examination, to 81 when taken less than two weeks prior to the ABR examination. The 15 th /85 th percentile values showed similar increases from 41/69 at “eight weeks” to 67/94 at less than “two weeks”. In 2008, the median score for all residents was 81. Corresponding scores for selected percentiles were 58 (10 th percentile), 74 (30 th percentile), 88 (70 th percentile) and 96 (90 th percentile). Conclusion Radiology resident scores on Physics Examinations increase dramatically (i.e., > 50%) over a two month period immediately prior the ABR Physics examination. The median score on a Physics Examination for residents taking the ABR examination is about 65%. Historical data suggest that the bottom 15% of Radiology Residents fail their written ABR Physics examination, implying a score greater than 55% to pass.