E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Surgical Oncology Exam

Update

Lynda Wyld, Chair of the Exam

Committee and the Education and

Training Committee of ESSO

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Exam Committee: the ETC of ESSO

Name Gender Nationality

Specialty

Lynda Wyld f UK

Breast, sarcoma

Beate Rau f German HIPEC, pelvic, sarcoma and lung

Michel Rivoire m French Upper GI/HPB

Geerard Beets m Netherlands Colorectal

Marjut Leidenius f Finnish

Breast

Odysseas Zoras m Greek Melanoma, sarcoma

Joost van der Vorst m Dutch

Trainee Representative

Ibrahim Edhemovic m Slovenian GI

Sergio Sandrucci m Italian

Sarcoma, upper GI

Daniel Perez m Swiss Upper GI/HPB

Isabel Rubio F Spanish Breast

Dawid Murawa m Polish

Upper GI and Breast

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

The EBSQ Surgical Oncology

Examination

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Applications

19 applicants

3 candidates were rejected due to inadequate

training/experience to comply with the eligibility criteria.

2 were unable to attend due to the unrest in Egypt and 1

due to the Syrian civil war: all 3 plan to attend next year

and have been allowed to carry over their fee if they do.

2candidates cancelled after acceptance.

In total therefore, 11 candidates sat the written

examination. 1 failed the written. 1 failed the oral so 9

passed.

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Surgical Oncology Exam

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Quality control and

validation

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Examiner Training for the Oral Exam

Examiners must observe an examination before taking

part.

Examiners meeting to standard set before each oral

exam

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Standardised Viva Questions

2 vivas, 25 minutes each, 2 experienced examiners.

One based on review of 2 controversial academic papers

with a question and answer guide.

Second based on case reports to test applied knowledge

and decision making. Cases and questions and answers

predefined.

Numeric and categorical scores.

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

MCQ Examination

Completely new bank of questions.

All extensively revised by the exam board (the ETC

committee of ESSO)

Standard setting using Anghoff referencing

2 papers:

Paper 1: 40 MCQs, Basic surgical oncology (basic principles of

surgical oncology, genetics, radiation oncology, medical

oncology, genetics).

Paper 2: 20 MCQs, Applied surgical Oncology testing critical

thinking and applied decision making at a higher level on

Bloom’s taxonomy

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Example of Anghoff Scoring

8 If limited peritoneal carcinomatosis is incidentally found during laparotomy for

resectable rectal cancer, the best treatment option would be:

a To proceed with resection of the rectum, remove the affected peritoneum and

subsequently treat the patient with chemotherapy including molecularly targeted drugs

(biologicals)

b To proceed with the resection of the rectum without removing the affected peritoneum

and subsequently treat the patient with chemotherapy including molecularly targeted

drugs (biologicals)

c To do nothing (or stoma only, if necessary) and refer the patient to the institution

where the resection of the rectum with simultaneous peritonectomy and HIPEC are

feasible.

d To proceed with the resection of the rectum and subsequently send the patient to the

institution where the peritonectomy and HIPEC are feasible.

e To consider the patient as untreatable, do nothing or create a stoma only, if necessary.

Correct

Angoff 60, 60%, 90%, 60%, 60%, 80%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 20%, 50%, 50%

Mean

score

66%

Pass

mark

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Review of MCQ quality and validity

Scores reviewed.

Low scoring questions checked

for accuracy and intelligibility and

modified or removed

High scoring questions reviewed

and modified or removed.

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Oral Papers

Increased structure to questions with different levels of

questions at different levels of Bloom’s taxonomy

Good feedback from examiners

1 candidate failed oral exam

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Innovations for 2014

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Core Curriculum

Core Curriculum: Fully

revised, collaborative between

ESMO, ESTRO, SSO, and

ESSO. Published in the

European Journal of Surgical

Oncology and available on the

web site.

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Textbook of Surgical Oncology

First published in 2007

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Second Edition

Based on the previous book but themed to reflect the

Core curriculum

Maximal input from ESSO board and committee

members

Recommended reading for the exam

Hard cover, PDF and ‘handbook’ version

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Next Steps

Critical review of questions

Develop bank so minimise repetition

Hopefully will have increase in numbers after Core

Curriculum publication

Exam to be held as a stand alone in Brussels, no longer

linked to the Congress for logistical reasons.

To have a medal and a prominent award of the

prize/certificates at the main ECCO/ESSO congress

(prize is free congress registration).

Develop specific exams in specialist areas: Peritoneal

Surface Oncology

E U R O P E A N S O C I E T Y O F S U R G I C A L O N C O L O G Y

Thank You