Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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While specialty-level evaluations evolve from traditional examinations to objective structured clinical examination-like assessments, a broader range of competencies are tested; consequently, examiners are forced to integrate results when making a determination of competency. The aim of this study was to describe how experts weigh relative performances on specific components of a comprehensive examination to make decisions of overall competency. ⋯ Performance on the SOE section of a multicompetency examination is markedly associated with the final determination of competency. These results have implications for the design and implementation of comprehensive specialty-level assessments.
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For patients who suffer from severe chronic pancreatitis, total pancreatectomy can alleviate pain, and islet autotransplantation (IAT) might preserve endocrine function and circumvent the complications of diabetes. Factors that determine success after this operation have not been clearly defined. ⋯ The likelihood of glycemic control after IAT is related to both patient characteristics and islet cell mass. Based on these data, more islet cells may be required for insulin independence than previously thought.