M Edmond1, M Roberson, N Hasan. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0509, USA. medmond@hsc.vcu.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: To quantify the censure of potentially negative information in dean's letters. METHOD: Concordance between 532 dean's letters and the corresponding transcripts was determined for six variables (failing grade in a preclinical course, marginal preclinical course grade, failing grade for a clinical rotation, marginal clinical rotation grade, leave of absence, and requirement to repeat an entire year of medical school). RESULTS: The evaluated variables were not found in the dean's letters 27% to 50% of the time that they were present on the transcripts. In three of nine instances (33%), a failing grade in a clinical rotation was not included. Four students had been required to repeat an entire year, but this was noted in only two cases. In toto, 35 of 104 (34%) of the variables identified on the transcripts were not reported. In addition, deans were significantly less likely to report a student's USMLE 1 score if the score was at or below the 20th percentile (p = .03). CONCLUSION: Some deans suppress negative information in their letters and potentially obfuscate the residency selection process.
PURPOSE: To quantify the censure of potentially negative information in dean's letters. METHOD: Concordance between 532 dean's letters and the corresponding transcripts was determined for six variables (failing grade in a preclinical course, marginal preclinical course grade, failing grade for a clinical rotation, marginal clinical rotation grade, leave of absence, and requirement to repeat an entire year of medical school). RESULTS: The evaluated variables were not found in the dean's letters 27% to 50% of the time that they were present on the transcripts. In three of nine instances (33%), a failing grade in a clinical rotation was not included. Four students had been required to repeat an entire year, but this was noted in only two cases. In toto, 35 of 104 (34%) of the variables identified on the transcripts were not reported. In addition, deans were significantly less likely to report a student's USMLE 1 score if the score was at or below the 20th percentile (p = .03). CONCLUSION: Some deans suppress negative information in their letters and potentially obfuscate the residency selection process.
Authors: Terra N Thimm; Christopher S Kiefer; Mara S Aloi; Moira Davenport; Jared Kilpatrick; Jeffrey S Bush; Lindsey Jennings; Stephen M Davis; Kimberly Quedado; Erica B Shaver Journal: West J Emerg Med Date: 2021-08-21
Authors: Stephen J Lurie; David R Lambert; Anne C Nofziger; Ronald M Epstein; Tana A Grady-Weliky Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2007-01 Impact factor: 5.128