As a resident you start hearing about this examination from the moment you enter residency, and I personally have looked forward to clarifying objectives and gaining a clearer understanding of certification. Finally, a working group will be producing in the next year or so a more comprehensive objective guide to be distributed to candidates. As for the meaning of this examination, even though it is said to be a comprehensive assessment of physicians' knowledge, skills, and attitudes, aiming to recognize a special competence in family medicine, it is still very much linked to licensure. On the other hand, all second-year residents are now very close to living this experience. Scoring compares candidates' answers to a list of acceptable answers and pretested marking schemes by the physicians acting as patients.
Scores reflect both clinician knowledge and patient-doctor communication skills.
Candidates' performances are scored using standardized forms. This month I have the pleasure of letting Dal Mattu, a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia, introduce you to the Section of Residents survey , which was processed last summer. Some of the data were presented at the Section of Teachers and Board of Directors meeting last fall. In the next months I hope you will hear more about the results and interpretation of the survey through Canadian Family Physician . I remind you that you are welcome to send me your contributions to this page or any questions and comments pertaining to resident issues.