Orthopaedic specialist registrar selection: the advantages of a candidate ranking procedure at interview.

For five years an orthopaedic specialist registrar appointments committee has been using a points system to rank candidates at interview. By so doing committee members have been able to devote the discussion period, after all candidates have been interviewed, to considering the merits of those candidates who have achieved the greatest degree of support. This system maximises the efficient use of committee discussion time without restricting the freedom of the committee to make the most appropriate appointments.