General Surgery Board Review Research & Evidence-Based Practice 5

Question 1

Which statistical test is most appropriate to compare complication rates (dichotomous outcome) between two independent surgical groups?

Accepted Answer

Chi-square test

Answer

The chi-square test compares proportions of categorical (dichotomous) outcomes between two independent groups.

Question 2

The 'learning curve' phenomenon in surgical research is best addressed methodologically by:

Accepted Answer

Reporting outcomes stratified by surgeon experience or case sequence

Answer

Stratifying outcomes by case sequence or surgeon experience transparently accounts for the learning curve rather than hiding it.

Question 3

A researcher reports a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.48–0.88) for mortality after a new surgical technique. This means:

Accepted Answer

Patients receiving the new technique have a 35% lower hazard of death at any given time point

Answer

HR < 1 favors the treatment group; HR 0.65 means a 35% reduction in the instantaneous risk of death compared to control.

Question 4

Regression to the mean is most likely to confound results in a study that:

Accepted Answer

Enrolls patients based on extreme baseline values without a control group

Answer

Regression to the mean causes extreme initial values to move toward average on remeasurement; without a control group this can mimic a treatment effect.

Question 5

The CONSORT statement is primarily used to guide:

Accepted Answer

Reporting of randomized controlled trials

Answer

CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) is a checklist that standardizes the reporting of RCTs to improve transparency and completeness.

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Practice Test

General Surgery Board Review Research & Evidence-Based Practice 5