The predictive value of pre-recruitment achievement on resident performance in anesthesiology.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Selecting candidates for residency positions is challenging and there is little research on the correlation between commonly used selection criteria and subsequent performance in anesthesiology. This study examined the association between the selection measures and post-recruitment performance in residency.

DESIGN: Retrospective review of archival data.

SETTING: Anesthesiology residency program at a large academic anesthesiology department.

SUBJECTS: Residents who were matched to the anesthesiology program over 9years (graduation classes of 2006 to 2014).

INTERVENTIONS: None.

MEASUREMENTS: The pre-recruitment achievements included a comprehensive list of measures obtained from residents' application portfolios in conjunction with interview performance. The post-recruitment examination outcomes consisted of the in-training examination (ITE) scores in the three clinical anesthesia (CA) years and first-attempt success on the written board certification examination administered by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). Scholarly output during residency was measured by publication record. Clinical performance at the conclusion of residency was independently rated by three faculty members. Bivariate analysis and regression models were conducted to examine association between predictors and outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS: High United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, class rank in medical school and interview performance were predictive of high examination scores in residency and good clinical performance. Class rank appeared to be the best predictor of scholarly publication and pursuing an academic career beyond residency.

CONCLUSIONS: Comparative performance with classmates (i.e., class rank) in medical school appeared to be an effective predictor of overall performance in residency, which warrants more attention in future study. Although interview performance is subject to recruitment team members' interpretation, it is an important measure to include in recruitment decisions.