Towards Enhancing Benchmarking in the Assessments of the Arab Board of Health Specializations

Towards Enhancing Benchmarking in the Assessments of the Arab Board of Health Specializations

As part of its continuous efforts to enhance the quality of assessments and ensure fairness and equity in the examinations of resident doctors, the Arab Board of Health Specializations (ABHS) is working on developing a benchmarking system as a fundamental tool to ensure the consistency of exams and equal opportunities for all candidates, regardless of differences in exam cycles or cohort variations.

This approach is based on continuous data analysis, leading to the development of an advanced system for monitoring exam performance using modern statistical equating methods. These analyses enable ABHS to compare exam results across different cycles, ensuring that minor differences in difficulty levels do not affect candidates' chances of success. Instead of relying solely on a traditional grading system, exams now follow a model that balances difficulty levels to provide a more equitable assessment.

The development does not stop at data analysis; it also extends to the continuous review of OSCE stations. Each station undergoes meticulous scrutiny to determine its effectiveness in assessment and to ensure that it accurately reflects the clinical skills required in real-world practice. If the data indicate that a particular station poses an undue challenge to candidates, it is adjusted or improved to align with fair assessment standards. Additionally, efforts are being made to establish a digital bank of clinical stations, allowing for periodic reviews to maintain assessment consistency across different exam sessions.

At the same time, ABHS recognizes that evaluating trainees should not be limited to awarding scores; it should be part of a continuous learning process. For this reason, work is underway to provide detailed analytical reports for each candidate, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement based on exam results. These reports not only help individuals understand their performance but also offer supervisors valuable insights into areas that require enhancement within educational curricula and clinical training programs.

Furthermore, ABHS is striving to align its assessments with international exams such as the USMLE and MRCP, ensuring that graduates of its programs meet the same level of clinical competency as their counterparts worldwide. Through comparative analytical studies, ABHS assesses the extent to which its passing standards and assessment criteria align with global examinations, thereby enhancing the credibility of its certification in the international medical community.

To achieve these ambitious goals, work is underway to develop an advanced digital platform that leverages intelligent data analysis to monitor exams and make necessary adjustments in real-time. This platform will not only analyze exam results but also serve as an interactive tool for candidates, enabling them to simulate exam scenarios and assess their performance based on modern benchmarking standards.

All these efforts contribute to the sustainable development of assessment systems at ABHS, ensuring that examinations do not merely measure knowledge but also accurately reflect clinical competency and the ability of doctors to practice at the highest standards. Through this approach, ABHS positions itself as a leading model in medical assessment development across the Arab world, reinforcing its role as an institution that relies on data-driven analysis and evidence-based decision-making to uphold excellence in specialty assessments.