Journal article
A Perspective on Medical School Admission Research and Practice Over the Last 25 Years
Teaching and learning in medicine, Vol.25(1), pp.S50-S56
01/01/2013
DOI: 10.1080/10401334.2013.842910
PMID: 24246107
Abstract
Over the last 25 years a large body of research has investigated how best to select applicants to study medicine. Although these studies have inspired little actual change in admission practice, the implications of this research are substantial. Five areas of inquiry are discussed: (1) the interview and related techniques, (2) admission tests, (3) other measures of personal competencies, (4) the decision process, and (5) defining and measuring the criterion. In each of these areas we summarize consequential developments and discuss their implication for improving practice. (1) The traditional interview has been shown to lack both reliability and validity. Alternatives have been developed that display promising measurement characteristics. (2) Admission test scores have been shown to predict academic and clinical performance and are generally the most useful measures obtained about an applicant. (3) Due to the high-stakes nature of the admission decision, it is difficult to support a logical validity argument for the use of personality tests. Although standardized letters of recommendation appear to offer some promise, more research is needed. (4) The methods used to make the selection decision should be responsive to validity research on how best to utilize applicant information. (5) Few resources have been invested in obtaining valid criterion measures. Future research might profitably focus on composite score as a method for generating a measure of a physician's career success. There are a number of social and organization factors that resist evidence-based change. However, research over the last 25 years does present important findings that could be used to improve the admission process.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A Perspective on Medical School Admission Research and Practice Over the Last 25 Years
- Creators
- Clarence D. Kreiter - University of IowaRick D. Axelson - Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Teaching and learning in medicine, Vol.25(1), pp.S50-S56
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis Group
- DOI
- 10.1080/10401334.2013.842910
- PMID
- 24246107
- ISSN
- 1040-1334
- eISSN
- 1532-8015
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2013
- Academic Unit
- Family and Community Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984297452802771
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