Interventions that affect resident performance on the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the published literature on the effectiveness of interventions intended to improve residents' American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) performances.

DESIGN: A systematic review was conducted by 2 independent investigators to identify all publications that examined the effect of specific interventions on residents' ABSITE performances from 1975 to 2013.

RESULTS: Overall, 26 published articles met study criteria. Structured reading programs and setting clear expectations with mandatory remedial programs were consistently effective in improving ABSITE performance, whereas the effect of didactic teaching conferences and problem-based learning groups was mixed. There was marked heterogeneity in the usage of study designs and reporting of results.

CONCLUSIONS: Structured reading programs and mandatory remedial programs appear to be consistently effective measures that can improve residents' ABSITE performances. There is a need for improved study design and reporting in future research conducted in this field.