[Final voluntary assessment for Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery medical residents: a report on the results and a look at the future].

INTRODUCTION The idea of establishing an examination that accredits the training of the specialists in orthopaedic surgery at the end of their educational period as residents is subject to controversy. With the aim of encouraging the development of this examination, the present members of the National Commission of the Specialty of Orthopaedics (CNE) have reviewed the results obtained in previous examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS The results of the voluntary final exam for Orthopaedics residents, and of the surveys of participant opinions for the years 2006 to 2011 are presented. RESULTS The total number of participants was 231, growing from 19 in 2005, to 71 in 2011. The overall mean score in the period reviewed (2006-2011) was 6.72 out of 10 points. In these 6 years, 9 participants failed (4.25%). The mean score for the test was 7.57. The overall mean score of the oral exam was 6.57. The worst results were obtained in the general knowledge section of the oral examination. Nobody has ever failed the section on reconstruction of the lower extremity. The upper extremity section in the oral examination achieves the best average results. DISCUSSION The examination has established its place in the structure of orthopaedic resident training in our country, even without making it official by the Administration. We must positively acknowledge those candidates who chose to take the examination and be evaluated by their peers in order to prove their qualification and distinction. This recognition will be the best encouragement for future generations.