RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Preferences of program directors for evaluation of candidates for postgraduate training
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 919
OP 923
VO 153
IS 7
A1 Provan, J. L.
A1 Cuttress, L.
YR 1995
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/153/7/919.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To determine the preferences of program directors for various grading systems and other criteria in selecting students for residency training positions through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). DESIGN: Questionnaire survey. PARTICIPANTS: All 110 directors of residency training programs in Ontario. SETTING: Ontario medical schools. OUTCOME MEASURES: Weighting of importance of different screening tools (e.g., grading systems, personal interview, dean's letter) used during undergraduate training. RESULTS: Of the 110 directors 96 (87%) responded. Of the 92 who rated the various grading practices 35 (38%) preferred a numeric grading system, 26 (28%) a letter grading system, 23 (25%) an honours/pass/fail system and 8 (9%) a pass/fail system. Most of the respondents from each school favoured a grading system that was more discriminating than the one used at their location. The personal interview was regarded as the most important screening tool by 80 (83%) of the respondents; the dean's letter was considered to be very useful by only 16 (17%). CONCLUSIONS: More value was placed by program directors on a numeric or other more discriminating grading system than on the pass/fail system. Although the grading system provides only one type of screening mechanism it raises the question of whether there should be a policy for uniform grading practices for all Canadian students.