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Do Data Obtained From Admissions Interviews and Resident Evaluations Predict Later Personal and Practice Problems?

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Abstract

Objective

The authors assessed whether current methods of evaluating residency applicants and residents identify psychiatrists who later develop evidence of impairment.

Method

Residency admissions and performance data for all physicians who were enrolled in a psychiatry residency between 1965 and 1994 and who were referred to an impaired physician program up to 35 years later were matched for age and gender with a nonreferred physician from the same class.

Results

There were no significant differences between groups in admission interview assessments, performance ratings, or narrative observations by faculty during residency.

Conclusions

Standard approaches do not identify physicians at risk of later impairment.

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Correspondence to Steven L. Dubovsky M.D..

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Dubovsky, S.L., Gendel, M., Dubovsky, A.N. et al. Do Data Obtained From Admissions Interviews and Resident Evaluations Predict Later Personal and Practice Problems?. Acad Psychiatry 29, 443–447 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.29.5.443

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.29.5.443

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