The impact of a targeted Arab Board of Emergency Medicine examination
preparation course on resident success rates
Dublin Core
Title
The impact of a targeted Arab Board of Emergency Medicine examination
preparation course on resident success rates
preparation course on resident success rates
Subject
Emergency medicine residents (EMRs), Examination preparation, Board certification, Arab board
emergency medicine (ABEM), Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)
emergency medicine (ABEM), Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)
Description
Abstract
Background The Arab Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) examination is a critical milestone for emergency
medicine residents (EMRs) aiming to transition to independent practice. Prior to this study, no structured course had
been administered to prepare EMRs for the ABEM examination. To address this gap, a five-day evening preparatory
course was developed, designed to align with ABEM requirements and deliver updated, essential knowledge. This
study aims to evaluate the impact of this newly introduced preparatory course on EMRs’ success rates on the ABEM
examination from 2017 to 2021.
Methods The five-day in-person course was conducted annually in the evenings to accommodate both EMRs
and faculty, scheduled approximately six weeks before the ABEM examination. The course content was specifically
aligned with ABEM standards, focusing on relevant and contemporary knowledge. EMRs participated in assessments
modeled after the ABEM examination, using standardized rubrics. Pass rates were compared to historical data, and
demographic variables were thoroughly analyzed. Feedback was collected from both EMRs and faculty after each
course to continuously refine and improve course content and delivery.
Results Data were collected over a five-year period (2017–2021), with 49 emergency medicine residents (EMRs)
(100%) participating in the course. The majority of participants were male (69.4%), and the cohort included graduates
from diverse regions, including Sudan (22.4%) and Pakistan (18.4%). The overall pass rate for the Arab Board of
Emergency Medicine (ABEM) examination significantly increased to 91.8%, compared to a pre-course pass rate of
60%. No significant impact on outcomes was observed based on factors such as gender, country of graduation, year
of participation, or initial confidence levels. Feedback from both participants and faculty indicated high levels of
satisfaction with the course, with recommendations for further content refinement and the inclusion of additional
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations.
Conclusion The findings demonstrate the significant impact of the newly introduced, face-to-face, five-day ABEM
preparatory course on EMR pass rates, potentially serving as a model for similar programs in other specialties. The
results highlight the importance of targeted, up-to-date instruction in improving the confidence and success of EMRs
on the ABEM examination. Furthermore, the course’s development and the incorporation of ongoing feedback played
key roles in further enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the training program.
Background The Arab Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) examination is a critical milestone for emergency
medicine residents (EMRs) aiming to transition to independent practice. Prior to this study, no structured course had
been administered to prepare EMRs for the ABEM examination. To address this gap, a five-day evening preparatory
course was developed, designed to align with ABEM requirements and deliver updated, essential knowledge. This
study aims to evaluate the impact of this newly introduced preparatory course on EMRs’ success rates on the ABEM
examination from 2017 to 2021.
Methods The five-day in-person course was conducted annually in the evenings to accommodate both EMRs
and faculty, scheduled approximately six weeks before the ABEM examination. The course content was specifically
aligned with ABEM standards, focusing on relevant and contemporary knowledge. EMRs participated in assessments
modeled after the ABEM examination, using standardized rubrics. Pass rates were compared to historical data, and
demographic variables were thoroughly analyzed. Feedback was collected from both EMRs and faculty after each
course to continuously refine and improve course content and delivery.
Results Data were collected over a five-year period (2017–2021), with 49 emergency medicine residents (EMRs)
(100%) participating in the course. The majority of participants were male (69.4%), and the cohort included graduates
from diverse regions, including Sudan (22.4%) and Pakistan (18.4%). The overall pass rate for the Arab Board of
Emergency Medicine (ABEM) examination significantly increased to 91.8%, compared to a pre-course pass rate of
60%. No significant impact on outcomes was observed based on factors such as gender, country of graduation, year
of participation, or initial confidence levels. Feedback from both participants and faculty indicated high levels of
satisfaction with the course, with recommendations for further content refinement and the inclusion of additional
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations.
Conclusion The findings demonstrate the significant impact of the newly introduced, face-to-face, five-day ABEM
preparatory course on EMR pass rates, potentially serving as a model for similar programs in other specialties. The
results highlight the importance of targeted, up-to-date instruction in improving the confidence and success of EMRs
on the ABEM examination. Furthermore, the course’s development and the incorporation of ongoing feedback played
key roles in further enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the training program.
Creator
Shahzad Anjum1,2, Khalid Bashir1,2*, Haris Iftikhar1
, Biju Gafoor1
and Aftab Mohammad Umar1,2
, Biju Gafoor1
and Aftab Mohammad Umar1,2
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00818-2
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Shahzad Anjum1,2, Khalid Bashir1,2*, Haris Iftikhar1
, Biju Gafoor1
and Aftab Mohammad Umar1,2, “The impact of a targeted Arab Board of Emergency Medicine examination
preparation course on resident success rates,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12640.
preparation course on resident success rates,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 25, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12640.