Analysis of the Orthopedic In-Training Examination (OITE) Musculoskeletal Trauma Questions

ObjectivesResidency program directors are responsible for providing assessment and feedback about resident performance and for developing a comprehensive resident curriculum in orthopedic surgery. One measure of resident knowledge is the Orthopedic In-Training Examination (OITE). Scores of the OITE examination have been found to correlate with the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery Part 1 Certifying Examination. The purpose of this study was to identify commonly tested orthopedic trauma topics, the taxonomic distribution of questions, and literature references in the OITE to aid curriculum development and individual test preparation.MethodsThe musculoskeletal trauma-related questions on the OITE during a 5-year period (2004-2008) were reviewed, and the number of questions, topics, taxonomic classification, and educational references associated with each question were analyzed.ResultsNearly 30% of questions each year consist of musculoskeletal trauma-related topics. Femur, tibia, and hip fractures were the most commonly tested topics. The majority (65.6%) of musculoskeletal trauma questions tested recall of specific facts. Examiners referenced primary literature sources (74.9%) more than textbooks (25.1%). The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) and the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma were cited most, accounting for 44.3% of all journal references. Forty-seven percent of the primary references were published within 5 years of the test administration.ConclusionsOne method for assessing orthopedic knowledge is the OITE examination. Longitudinal analysis of trauma-related questions shows a consistent pattern of both topics and primary literature citation. This information may be used to help guide structured review for future OITE examinations and develop an orthopedic trauma curriculum for a residency program.