Basic science curriculum during residency: justification based on in-training examination scores.

The American Board of Surgery is increasing its emphasis on competency in surgical basic science as part of residency training. The 1991 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) contained 135 questions designated as basic science to assess residents' knowledge. We reviewed the separate progression of scores in clinical and basic sciences at Wayne State University (WSU) surgical residency and nationally through the 1991 ABSITE report. Regression analysis of WSU data yielded a slope (% correct answers per postgraduate year) of 5.3 for clinical and 2.4 for basic science scores (P < 0.001 by t-statistic applied to regression slopes). These data imply a progression of knowledge during residency but at a significantly slower rate for basic science. The national data confirm this trend, although we were unable to evaluate it statistically. This situation illustrates the need for organized teaching of clinically relevant basic science as part of a residency curriculum.