The Virtual Mock Oral Examination: A Multi-institutional Study of Resident and Faculty Receptiveness
Joseph F. Goodman MD,
Prashant Saini,
Alexander J. Straughan,
Christopher D. Badger MD, MBA,
Punam Thakkar MD,
Philip E. Zapanta MD
Affiliations
Joseph F. Goodman MD
Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
Prashant Saini
Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
Alexander J. Straughan
Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
Christopher D. Badger MD, MBA
Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
Punam Thakkar MD
Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
Philip E. Zapanta MD
Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, several American Board of Medical Specialties members have implemented board exams in an online format. In response, we decided to evaluate the efficacy and receptiveness of otolaryngology faculty and residents to a web-based virtual mock oral examination (MOE). Faculty and residents from DC-metropolitan institutions were recruited for decentralized virtual MOE in early 2020. A total of 28 faculty and 20 residents signed up. Follow-up included a survey study consisting of Likert scale and free-text questions to evaluate receptiveness. Helpfulness of the exercise was rated as an average of 8.8 and 9.06, respectively, by faculty and residents on a 10-point Likert scale. Likelihood to recommend a similar exercise to others was 9.2 and 9.3, respectively, for faculty and residents. All survey respondents said they would participate again if given the opportunity. We conclude that existing videoconferencing technologies can be effective tools for conducting virtual MOE by otolaryngology residency programs.
