Hum Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 (CNN) -- For years, doctors around the country taking an exam to become board certified in radiology have cheated by memorizing test questions, creating sophisticated banks of what are known as "recalls," a CNN investigation has found. The recall exams are meticulously compiled by radiology residents, who write down the questions after taking the test, in radiology programs around the country, including some of the most prestigious programs in the U.S. "It's been going on a long time, I know, but I can't give you a date," said Dr. Gary Becker, executive director of the American Board of Radiology (ABR), which oversees the exam that certifies radiologists. Asked if this were considered cheating, Becker told CNN, "We would call it cheating, and our exam security policy would call it cheating, yes." Radiology residents must sign a document agreeing not to share test material, but a CNN investigation shows the document is widely ignored. Dozens of radiology residents interviewed by CNN said that they promised before taking the written test to memorize certain questions and write them down immediately after the test along with fellow residents. "Our real mission is to the public," said Dr. James Borgstede, the ABR's president-elect. "Our real mission is to say that your certified radiologist has demonstrated, acquired and maintained the requisite skills and knowledge to practice with skill and safety on the public." To become board certified, a virtually essential step to obtain hospital privileges, residents have been required to pass two written exams and an intensive oral test during five years of residency training. The practice of sharing exam answers is so widespread and considered so serious in the medical community that the ABR has put out a strongly worded video warning residents that the use of recalls must stop. more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey B. Veteran Posted January 13, 2012 Veteran Share Posted January 13, 2012 if they are memorizing the answers to take the test isnt that a good thing that they are remembering the information (sounds more like a study technique than cheating) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
threetonesun Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 To become board certified, a virtually essential step to obtain hospital privileges, residents have been required to pass two written exams and an intensive oral test during five years of residency training. People will always game mandatory tests. Shouldn't be a surprise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Memphis Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 People will always game mandatory tests. Shouldn't be a surprise. hmm my anatomy lecture notes where the questions in a sense. a sentence with a blank or a sentence slightly modified to turn into a question. Our exam study guides where about 75% accurate and all we had to do was memorize that and memorize whatever els ethe instructor hinted at. mI guess i dont see the difference as long as the material is memorized and their not writing them down and sneaking in the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocM Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 The problem, of course, being the answer sharing and violating the no-share agreement. Best way to resolve it is not to use a standardized test. I never did. My students hated me for it, but oh well.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 This is why I read 'Self-surgery Made Easy'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fhpuqrgrpgvirzhpujbj Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 if they are memorizing the answers to take the test isnt that a good thing that they are remembering the information (sounds more like a study technique than cheating) It's the difference between knowing the answer and understanding it. It's great if you know that 5 factorial equals 120, but unless you know what a factorial is and how to calculate it for any other number you haven't really accomplished much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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