Evaluating resident candidates: does closed file review impact faculty ratings?
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine faculty ratings of resident candidates in closed and open file conditions.


METHODS
Surgical faculty conducted interviews of 70 resident candidates. Interviewers completed an evaluation following a closed file interview then reviewed the candidate's Electronic Residency Application Service file and completed the evaluation again.


RESULTS
A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) yielded significant file x familiarity (P < .01), familiarity x attribute (P < .01), and file x familiarity x attribute (P < .05) interactions. Analyses for each attribute revealed consistent findings in ratings of candidates' intelligence, maturity, interpersonal skills, motivation for learning, ability to work with others, qualifications to succeed in surgery, and likelihood to succeed in surgery. Known candidates were rated higher until files were examined. After file review, unknown candidates were seen to be as strong as or stronger than known candidates.


CONCLUSIONS
Interviewers rate known and unknown candidates differently in open and closed file conditions.
Hauge
Linnea S
LS
Department of General Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 W. Congress Parkway, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Lhauge@umich.edu
Stroessner
Steven J
SJ
Chowdhry
Shahnaz
S
Wool
Norman L
NL
D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D007600:Judgment; D008297:Male; D012570:School Admission Criteria