3.2. Candidate Performance Criteria

Examiners assess candidate performance on each case in the categories of Data Acquisition, Diagnosis, and Management. The ABO encourages candidates to treat the performance criteria outlined below as a useful checklist for the formation of a clear, systematic, and comprehensive approach to each case.

Data Acquisition

Data Acquisition refers to how well the candidate obtains historical and examination information to fully evaluate a particular case. This rating is used to assess the acquisition of data critical to the provision of quality patient care. Candidates are required to:

• Elicit relevant historical information from the patient.
• Identify important findings in the clinical examination and order appropriate testing.
  

Diagnosis

Diagnosis refers to the candidate’s ability to synthesize historical and physical evaluation information, along with appropriate ancillary testing data, to arrive at a correct diagnosis and reasonable alternative diagnoses. Candidates are required to:

• Generate a differential diagnosis based on information collected in the history, ocular examination, and ancillary testing.
• Identify the most likely diagnosis.

Management

Management refers to the appropriateness of the treatment plan, including prognosis, follow-up, and the ability to manage complications. Other important components of management that may be evaluated are communication, professionalism, and systems-based practice competencies. Candidates are required to:

• Provide a safe and effective plan for medical and/or surgical management of patients with the conditions depicted or described, including possible alternatives and/or the proper referral of the patient.
• Recognize potential complications of proposed treatments including surgery and make accurate inferences regarding the expected outcomes and prognosis.
• Be able to communicate the management plan in a clear and ethical manner, which may include explaining how information is communicated to the patient or family.

!We’ve heard from candidates that non-ABO-affiliated third-party resources may recommend they start their approach to each case with their differential. Since your examiners will be listening to you to hit the three key points of Data Acquisition, Diagnosis and Management—in that order—on every case as the basis for their evaluation, it is in your best interest to adapt this format and use it consistently.