title: Personal characteristics of residents may predict competency improvement.
abstract: We hypothesized that personal characteristics of residents may affect how well competency is attained in a surgical residency. To this end, we examined two concepts of global trait emotional intelligence and learner autonomy profile and their factor relationship with competency outcomes in a residency program in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
  
  
  
  A cohort study prospectively gathered competency change scores for 1 year and retrospectively analyzed the factor associations.
  
  
  
  We measured two personal characteristics using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form and Learner Autonomy Profile-Short Form between 2013 and 2014 in a tertiary otolaryngology-head and neck residency program. We prospectively examined faculty-rated resident competency scores monitored in the same time period and correlated the personal attributes with cumulative competency improvement scores. Statistical analyses included factor correlations and univariate regression.
  
  
  
  With a response rate of 64% (N = 16/25), we identified two statically significant predictors of competency improvement outcome attained by the end of the year. Regression analyses showed that emotionality factor of global trait emotional intelligence (P = .04) and learner autonomy profile (P < .01) were significant predictors for the higher improvement of aggregate competency outcome.
  
  
  
  Personal factors of individual residents can affect their improvement of overall competency. Practicing competency-based education should, therefore, include assessing individual resident factors as well as teaching clinical knowledge and technical skills.
  
  
  
  NA Laryngoscope, 126:1746-1752, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: EunMi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Patrick K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Eisele
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Howard W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Young J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Resident education; competency; emotional intelligence; individual difference; learner autonomy profile; predictor