Analyzes the challenges to using academic measures (MCAT scores and GPAs) as thresholds for medical school admissions and, for applicants exceeding the threshold, using personal qualities for admission decisions; reviews the literature on using the medical school interview and other admission data to assess personal qualities of applicants;…

The history and continuing problems with two unresolved issues in medical education, premedical and medical curricula and the selection of medical students, are discussed. Useful elements of the current system are identified. (MSE)

The University of Iowa has been admitting students without a required selection interview for 15 years. Personal qualities are measured by evaluation forms given to each applicant for completion by evaluators of the applicant's choosing. Some proponents of the interview see recruiting as a by-product of the interview process. (MLW)

Explores factors causing greater emphasis on qualitative variables in selecting medical students and assessing physician conduct. Outlines an admission model to aid in making this or other shifts in emphasis in a school's admission process, and to deal with the difficult issue of diversity in admissions. Last, gives an extended hypothetical…

The paper considers the current health care crisis in rural and inner city areas and proposes changes in physician education including changes in premedical education and medical school admissions criteria. Changed criteria could encourage more broadly educated students to enter the medical profession thus maintaining high standards while meeting…

Medical faculty publications over a three-year period were used to analyze relative research productivity of one medical school's basic and clinical science departments. Journal citation ratings, number of authors, and faculty member's byline position were used as criteria. Departments varied greatly in research productivity, correlated with…

Medical schools are recognizing that students require explicit discussion and analysis of ethical issues to assure high standards of professional practice. Recognition that the same approach is needed in biomedical research has begun to emerge. (Author/MLW)

A study examined the operational meaning of 48 accreditation standards for teaching, learning, and evaluation in medical school, and determined the extent to which these standards were applied by schools and on-site evaluators for 59 programs, based on self-studies and accreditation surveyor reports. Results indicate schools pay attention to most…

A study of 419 applicants to the University of Virginia's medical school compared preinterview and postinterview applicant ratings on six objective scales. Analysis found only ratings of commitment to serve others not significantly changed by the interview. Rating of familiarity with medical issues changed the most, and overall impression improved…

The discussion of score reporting methods to be used in new versions of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examination defines selected aspects of score reporting, outlines the use of scores, and examines the potential for misuse by medical schools and in resident selection. An NBME opinion poll is reported. (Author/MSE)

A study of the performance of Brown University medical students admitted with and without an interview, based on course performance, standardized test scores, and residency evaluations, provides evidence that the selection interview does not contribute to the predictive capacity of the admission process. (Author/MSE)

A model for resident selection used scaled scores reflective of the applicant's characteristics to rank applicants at the Medical College of Milwaukee (Wisconsin). Data from three years indicate that as few as three faculty were needed to interview reliably, permitting a more cost-effective approach to selection. (Author/MSE)

Using a national sample of recent medical school graduates (n=12,213), a study of predictive validity of the National Board of Medical Examiners test parts I and II found strong correlations between performance on those parts and part III, supporting the test's use, at least in part, for selection of residency applicants. (MSE)

Interrater reliability in numerical ratings of clerkship performance (n=1,482 students) in five surgery programs was studied. Raters were classified as accurate or moderately or significantly stringent or lenient. Results indicate that increasing the proportion of accurate raters would substantially improve the precision of class rankings. (MSE)

Analysis of the process used by a faculty-student committee to choose medical student summer researchers (N=82) over two years looked at project findings in comparison with findings of other-funded projects by rejected applicants and with the original proposals. The soundness of the review process was supported. (MSE)