Characteristics of residency training associated with first-time pass rate on the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists certifying examination.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association of various aspects of veterinary ophthalmology residency training with the first-time pass rate (FTPR) of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) examination, as well as the individual written, image recognition, animal examination, and surgical sections of the examination.

Procedures: Program type, resident evaluations, cumulative surgery and case logs, and scores from ACVO examinations from 2007 to 2010 were evaluated.

Results: Data were available for 71 candidates. The overall FTPR was 35% (n = 25). For the different sections of the examination, FTPRs were as follows: written (68%), image recognition (76%), intraocular surgery (80%), extraocular surgery (65%), and animal examination (75%). The overall FTPR among candidates from academic residency (AR) programs was 43% (20 of 47), while the FTPR of residents in private practice (PPR) programs was 21% (5 of 24; P = 0.07). The AR candidates were more likely to pass the written portion than PPR residents (P = 0.02), and AR candidates had significantly more time off clinics (median 25%) vs PPR residents (median 18%; P = 0.007). The AR residents also had a higher reported percentage of direct supervision than PPR residents (95% vs 76%, respectively). Although PPR residents did significantly more surgeries and examined significantly more dogs and cats, those from ARs examined significantly more equine, bovine, avian, camelid, and reptile species.

Conclusions: Overall, AR residents had a higher FTPR and were more likely to pass the written portion of the examination. Total case and surgery numbers were not associated with FTPR.