The In-Training Evaluation Report (ITER), in use by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada for examining the competencies of candidates eligible for the certifying examination, was tested for validity and reliability. This analysis suggests revisions but declares the ITEA a useful instrument to aid in candidate assessment. (JT)

Reference letters are an important method of selecting applicants to a postgraduate residency program. A study to test the predictive validity of all reference letters, not only those written by deans, is discussed. Results showed that reference letters did not predict resident performance and little useful information was contained in them. (MLW)

Relationships between faculty ratings and performance on components of the National Board of Medical Examiners Certifying Examination for Primary Care Physician's Assistants were investigated. Results show significant though modest correlation. One implication is that faculty members are able to make discrete judgements about students on more than…

Study to help provide a data base on which medical administrators could base their decisions on students' admissions and continuance credentials. (IR)

Reports a study that evaluated the efficacy of a nonranking grading system in assessing superior performance. (JT)

Attending faculty members completed a rating scale at the end of each clinical rotation in a general pediatrics residency training program. The rating scale items assessed medical knowledge, interpersonal and professional relationships, and attitudes toward education. Interrater agreement is reported. (Author/MLW)

A three-year study compared entry-level and junior-level clinically oriented reading and writing skills of 231 medical students. Entry-level skills were found to be the best predictors of clinical skills. Inclusion of communication skills training in admission criteria and/or medical curriculum are recommended. (Author/MSE)

Methodological techniques were employed to study the reliability, validity, and uniqueness of peer ratings that two sets of graduating students received during their final internal medicine rotation. Results indicate that peer ratings given as part of a promotion process were internally consistent, unbiased, and valid. (Author/MLW)

Deans' letters of recommendation can be regarded as measuring instruments that are used in the selection process to evaluate and predict the future performance of residents and interns. This study demonstrates that the dean's letter can be a reliable and valid measure of medical student performance that correlates with performance in residency…

A computer program developed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine presents simulated patient cases and then scores participants' clinical problem-solving in the cases by comparing their performances with those of faculty members. The validity and reliability of this evaluation system was investigated. (Author/MLW)

A study of faculty and student attitudes toward medical student self-evaluation and comparison of faculty and student evaluations of student performance revealed that the opportunity for self-evaluation was both useful and appreciated. Faculty and student ratings correlated closely. (MSE)

The use of modified essay questions (MEQs), developed at the University of Newcastle to assess clinical problem-solving, is reported. Reliability estimates as high as 0.91 were reported. The validity of assessment by MEQ was based on one model of medical problem-solving and another of cognitive skill taxonomies. (Author/MLW)

A long-range plan to evaluate medical students' physical examination skills was undertaken at the Ingham Family Medical Clinic at Michigan State University. The development of the psychomotor skills evaluation model to evaluate the skill of blood pressure measurement, tests of the model's reliability, and the use of the model are described. (JMD)

A multimethod approach was used to investigate the validity and reliability of two clinical simulation tests (CST). Test subjects included nurses, physicians, medical students, and nursing students. Results indicate both CSTs appear to have a valid content and proficiency scores appear to discriminate between groups of subjects. The scores are…