Do surgical residents rated as better teachers perform better on in-training examinations?
BACKGROUND
There have been no attempts to objectively compare resident teaching ability with resident knowledge level.


METHODS
Resident teaching ability, as rated by medical students and junior surgical residents, was compared with resident knowledge level, estimated by in-training examination results, for 18 PGY5 and PGY4 surgical residents at McGill University (September 1996 to July 1997).


RESULTS
There was a trend to suggest that greater teaching ability is associated with higher in-training examination scores; this did not achieve statistical significance. PGY4 residents were rated as better teachers than PGY5 residents. Resident self-evaluation revealed a high degree of interest in teaching; inadequate time was the principal deterrent to resident teaching; enjoyment and learning during teaching were found to be the most common incentives.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest an association between resident level of knowledge and teaching ability. The principal deterrent to teaching--inadequate time--must be addressed to effectively assist surgical resident teaching.
Department of General Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
A J
AJ
Seely
M P
MP
Pelletier
L S
LS
Snell
J L
JL
Trudel
D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002321:Career Choice; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male