First-time ABR examiners this spring only experienced in-person oral exams in Louisville or Tucson as candidates. Although their knowledge of the old process is limited, they see many advantages in using the remote format.

We reached out to five new examiners to get their thoughts on the platform: Joseph Erinjeri, MD (interventional radiology); Sarah Milgrom, MD (radiation oncology); Kristi Hendrickson, PhD (medical physics); Anil Sethi, PhD (medical physics); and Rajesh Shah, MD (interventional radiology). Here are excerpts of what they said.

What were your expectations going into the remote format? 

Dr. Erinjeri: “After a year of remote everything, remote board exams didn’t seem too much of a stretch. But I knew one of the most important goals of the remote exam would be finding ways to make candidates feel comfortable.”

How did the platform work for you?

Dr. Milgrom: “The remote format worked extremely well. The software was user-friendly, and we were well prepared by the ABR team. During the exam, navigators were available to help with any technical challenges.”

What did you think of the training you received?

Dr. Hendrickson: “As an examiner for the pilot and May exams, I participated in multiple trainings and trial runs, which was sufficient for me. I felt comfortable using the exam software and system during the pilot and then felt very experienced for the May exams.”

How comfortable do you think the candidates were?

Dr. Shah: ​“My perception was that they were comfortable, but it certainly did add some unknowns into the equation like sounds and phones ringing. But all of the candidates I examined seem to take it in stride.”

How much are you looking forward to participating again?

Dr. Sethi: “I really enjoyed the oral exam experience and I look forward to being part of it again. I know with the experience we gained, next year’s version will be even better.”

For more information on remote exams, please visit our website.