Historical performance of graduates from a Mexican university in the medical residencies examination, 2001-2013

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the historical performance of graduates from Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco (UJAT) in the Applicants’ National Test for Medical Residency (ENARM).

Method: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the proportion of graduates who had passed the ENARM during 2001-2013 period, as well as the historical trend of the rates achieved in this test, and comparing them with other national universities. The ENARM results were obtained from the Inter-institutional Commission for Training of Human Resources for Health (CIFRHS), while those from UJAT graduates were obtained from the Physician and Surgeon’s Terminal Studies Coordination of that university. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics.

Results: A total of 2,828 physicians and surgeons graduated during the period, and 4,490 took the ENARM. The mean percentage of candidates was 11.3±3.0% within an interval from 6.0% (in 2004) to 15.6% (in 2012), being lower than the national mean in all cases. The mean marks obtained was 44.59±7.57, within an interval from 35.63 (in 2004) to 54.65 (in 2012), also being lower than the national mean in all cases.

Conclusions: The proportion of graduates from the UJAT selected to take the ENARM is poor, as well as their pass rates of the test. The number of candidates who take the test exceed the annual number of graduates. Graduates should be followed-up, as well as promoting research oriented postgraduate studies and specialization not mediated by the ENARM.