Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas.
Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas.
J Endod. 2021 Oct;47(10):1566-1574. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2021.07.016. Epub 2021 Jul 31.
The American Board of Endodontics certification is an evolving process to ensure the continuing existence of the specialty of endodontics. Recent examination changes have resulted in greater numbers of Diplomates. To fully understand the implications of such changes and evaluate current Diplomates' views of the examination process, a specific set of questions was developed focusing on beliefs and perceptions, age relationships, test components, and hypotheticals for potential changes. An analysis of the examination process has never been reported in the literature, and, as such, the survey was designed to provide the endodontic community with critical information on the past, current, and potentially future examination process.
A Web-based survey consisting of 25 questions was e-mailed to 1522 Diplomates.
A total of 736 Diplomates responded to the survey for a response rate of 48.4%. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis (p < .05) were used to explore relationships in the data.
A lack of perceived importance of being board certified was a major barrier. Respondents opposed de-emphasizing literature, offering the oral examination in a videoconferencing virtual format, eliminating mandatory recalls, and entirely removing 1 component of the examination to increase the numbers of Diplomates. Respondents supported reviewing the case history portfolio examination on a rolling basis. Respondents disagreed that molar cases alone demonstrated clinical competency. Older Diplomates felt the strongest that the meaning of being a Diplomate has been diluted by the changes in the certification process. The authors believe the American Association of Endodontists, program directors, and the College of Diplomates must continually emphasize the importance and value of board certification as the process continues to evolve.
美国牙髓病专科委员会的认证是一个不断发展的过程，旨在确保牙髓病学这一专业的持续存在。最近的考试改革导致了更多的专科医师。为了充分了解这些变化的意义，并评估现任专科医师对考试过程的看法，我们专门开发了一套问题，重点关注信念和看法、年龄关系、考试内容以及潜在变化的假设。目前，文献中从未报道过对考试过程的分析，因此，这项调查旨在为牙髓病学界提供关于过去、现在和潜在未来考试过程的关键信息。
我们向 1522 名专科医师发送了一份基于网络的包含 25 个问题的调查。
共有 736 名专科医师对调查做出了回应，回应率为 48.4%。我们使用描述性统计和回归分析（p<.05）来探索数据中的关系。
缺乏对获得委员会认证的重要性的认知是一个主要障碍。受访者反对降低文献在考试中的重要性、以视频会议的虚拟形式提供口试、取消强制性召回以及完全取消考试的 1 个部分以增加专科医师的数量。受访者支持对病史档案考试进行滚动审查。受访者不同意仅磨牙病例就能证明临床能力。年龄较大的专科医师认为，认证过程的变化使专科医师的意义已经被削弱。作者认为，随着认证过程的不断发展，美国牙髓病学会、项目主任和专科医师学院必须不断强调委员会认证的重要性和价值。
