Medical school achievements as predictors of performance in a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency.

PURPOSE

To determine whether medical school achievement is related to or predictive of performance in a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) residency, performance on PM&R board examinations, and entry into academic PM&R practice.

METHOD

In 1994-1995, data were extracted from the files of 205 former residents who trained for at least six months from 1959 to 1991 in the PM&R program at the University of Washington. Associations between medical school and residency and post-residency variables were sought using chi-square analyses, analysis of variance, and linear and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Clinical residency performance was predicted by clerkship honors grades (p = .0001). Probation was predicted by failing a basic science course (p = .0001). Written board performance was related to Alpha Omega Alpha status (p = .04). Failing written boards on the first attempt was predicted by failing a basic science course (p = .05). Entry into an academic PM&R practice was predicted by an interest in such a practice in the personal statement of the residency application (p = .002) and by writing a thesis in medical school (p = .03).

CONCLUSION

Because medical school achievements were related to performance during and shortly after residency training in PM&R, they can be used as partial predictors of success.