title: A Retrospective Analysis Comparing the New Standardized Letter of Recommendation in Dermatology with the Classic Narrative Letter of Recommendation.
abstract: Background:In an effort to avoid numerous problems associated with narrative letters of recommendation, a dermatology standardized letter of recommendation was utilized in the 2014-2015 resident application cycle.Objective:A comparison of the standardized letter of recommendation and narrative letters of recommendation from a single institution and application cycle to determine if the standardized letter of recommendation met its original goals of efficiency, applicant stratification, and validity.Methods:Eight dermatologists assessed all standardized letters of recommendation/narrative letters of recommendation pairs received during the 2014-2015 application cycle. Five readers repeated the analysis two months later. Each letter of recommendation was evaluated based on a seven question survey. Letter analysis and survey completion for each letter was timed.Results:Compared to the narrative letters of recommendation, the standardized letter of recommendation is easier to interpret (p<0.0001), has less exaggeration of applicants' positive traits (p<0.001), and has higher inter-rater and intrarater reliability for determining applicant traits including personality, reliability, work-ethic, and global score. Standardized letters of recommendation are also faster to interpret (p<0.0001) and provide more information about the writer's background or writer-applicant relationship than narrative letters of recommendation (p<0.001).Limitations:This study was completed at a single institution.Conclusions:The standardized letter of recommendation appears to be meeting its initial goals of 1) efficiency, 2) applicant stratification, and 3) validity. (J Clin Aesthet Dermatol.2016;9(9):36-2.).
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kaffenberger
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mosser
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Llana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pootrakul
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Katya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harfmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fabbro
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Esteban Fernandez
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Faith
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Alisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plotner
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zirwas
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Benjamin H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kaffenberger