The relationship between criteria used to select residents and performance during residency

Purpose Can data available at time of interview and evaluation predict level of performance during residency? Methods General surgery residents were studied. Applicant information available prior to admission was used to predict performance during residency as measured by faculty judgment of residentsʹ knowledge, technical skill, maturity and judgment, and overall ability. Results No relationship was found between admission data and final evaluation (using Spearmanʹs coefficient rs = 0.27; p = 0.13). We could not distinguish between the top 10 and the bottom 10 ranked residents on admission variables. Nine of the top 10 and 3 of the bottom 10 residents remained in general surgery. Performance on the American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination accounted for 37% of the variance in faculty grading (F5,28;.05 = 3.26; P = 0.02). Conclusions Residentsʹ interpersonal and technical skills and qualities of character may have a significant role in faculty perception of success during surgical residency. These qualities are not well reflected in candidatesʹ credentials at admission.