title: What information is provided in transcripts and Medical Student Performance Records from Canadian Medical Schools? A retrospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Resident selection committees must rely on information provided by medical schools in order to evaluate candidates. However, this information varies between institutions, limiting its value in comparing individuals and fairly assessing their quality. This study investigates what is included in candidates' documentation, the heterogeneity therein, as well as its objective data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of recent transcripts and Medical Student Performance Records were anonymised prior to evaluation. Data were then extracted by two independent reviewers blinded to the submitting university, assessing for the presence of pre-selected criteria; disagreement was resolved through consensus. The data were subsequently analysed in multiple subgroups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inter-rater agreement equalled 92%. Inclusion of important criteria varied by school, ranging from 22.2% inclusion to 70.4%; the mean equalled 47.4%. The frequency of specific criteria was highly variable as well. Only 17.7% of schools provided any basis for comparison of academic performance; the majority detailed only status regarding pass or fail, without any further qualification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considerable heterogeneity exists in the information provided in official medical school documentation, as well as markedly little objective data. Standardization may be necessary in order to facilitate fair comparison of graduates from different institutions. Implementation of objective data may allow more effective intra- and inter-scholastic comparison.
authors.affiliation: The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Robins
authors.affiliation: The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; mmcinnes@toh.on.ca.
authors.forename: Matthew D F
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: McInnes
authors.affiliation: The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Kaisra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Esmail
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004282:Documentation; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical
keywords: Medical Student Performance Record; dean's letter; evaluation; residency; transcript