Performance Prediction of the Family Medicine Applicants of Oman Medical Specialty Board in Multiple Mini-interviews Using the International Foundations of Medicine Exam and Situational Judgment Test

Abstract

Background: Entry into postgraduate medical training programs should be based on valid selection measures predictive of training performance. A situational judgment test (SJT) is often used during the residency selection process to measure knowledge and behavioral attributes. Objectives: This study aimed to test the validity of the International Foundations of Medicine (IFOM) examination and an SJT for predicting performance during multiple mini-interviews (MMI) of the applicants for a family medicine residency program in Oman. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) during the application process for the academic year 2021. Data were collected from 80 applicants to the OMSB Family Medicine Residency Program. Before participating in the MMI panels, all applicants underwent pre-interview tests (comprising the IFOM examination and SJT). Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of the MMI score. Results: A total of 67 applicants completed the entire selection process cycle and were included in the study. The SJT score was a significant predictor of the MMI score (r = 0.367; P = 0.002), whereas the IFOM score was not a significant predictor (r = 0.105; P = 0.396). Conclusions: This study supports using SJT as an additional selection measure alongside the MMI panel for entry to OMSB residency training.