A new selection system to recruit general practice registrars: preliminary findings from a validation study.
OBJECTIVE
To design and validate a new competency based selection system to recruit general practice registrars, comprising a competency based application form, referees' reports, and an assessment centre.


METHODS
Longitudinal predictive validity study and a matched case comparison.


METHODS
South Yorkshire and East Midlands region, United Kingdom, comprising three deaneries.


METHODS
46 of 167 doctors were followed up in training after three months in practice, and 20 general practice trainers were selected by using traditional recruitment methods.


METHODS
Trainer ratings of trainee performance in practice on targeted competencies.


RESULTS
Performance ratings of targeted competencies at the assessment centre predicted trainer ratings of performance in the job. Furthermore, those trainees recruited through the new competency based process performed significantly better in the job than those recruited through traditional recruitment processes.


CONCLUSIONS
A new competency based selection process using assessment centres improves the validity of selection of general practice registrars compared with traditional selection techniques.
Patterson
Fiona
F
Department of Psychology, City University, London EC1V 0HB. f.patterson@city.ac.uk
Ferguson
Eamonn
E
Norfolk
Tim
T
Lane
Pat
P
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007586:Job Application; D008297:Male; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000592:standards; D000078329:Workforce