A study of the factors affecting the academic performance of postgraduate examinees in the Master of Medicine (Anesthesiology) Part-1 examination

Abstract

Background: It has been observed that some candidates do very well in postgraduate examinations and get through in the very first attempt, whereas the others may not do very well and have to go for multiple attempts to get through the same examination. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the performance and the success rate in the first attempt in the Master of Medicine (Anesthesiology) Part–1 examination.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving 73 postgraduate candidates who passed the Master of Medicine (Anesthesiology) Part–1 examination between 2016 and 2017. The candidates were required to respond to various questions about various factors assumed to be affecting their performance, including sociodemographic factors, pre–training, and in–training factors. Statistical analysis of the received responses was done and linked to the performance in the Part-1 examination.

Results: The candidates with more than 5 y of medical service had 85% lower odds than those with 5 or fewer years (adjusted OR 0.15; 95% CI 0.03–0.81; p = 0.027). Those who passed the entrance examination after 2 or more attempts also had 80% lower odds than those who passed at the first attempt (adjusted OR 0.20; 95% CI 0.06–0.70; p = 0.011). The odds of the candidates who often had small-group discussions during their study leave were 16.21 times higher to pass than those who seldom had any discussion (adjusted OR 16.21; 95% CI 1.81–145.41; p = 0.013).

Conclusions: The success in the Master of Medicine (Anesthesiology) Part–1 examination in first attempt was determined by a shorter duration of medical service, single attempt at the entrance examination, and regular small-group discussions.

Key words: Anesthesiology; Postgraduate; Medicine; Examination; Candidate

Abbreviations: UKM – Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; USM – Universiti Sains Malaysia; OSCE – Objective Structured Clinical Examination; SPM – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia

Citation: Yusoff ATM, Hassan WMNW, Hassan MH, Yusoff MSB, Shukeri WFWM, Yaacob NM. A study of the factors affecting the academic performance of postgraduate examinees in the Master of Medicine (Anesthesiology) Part-1 examination. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;25(4):478–486. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v25i4.1568

Received: April 16, 2021, Reviewed: May 30, 2021, Accepted: 2 June 2021