The Evaluation of Psychiatric Residents by Objective Multiple-Choice Examinations
HAROLD I. KAPLAN M.D.1,
ALFRED M. FREEDMAN M.D.2, , and
HELEN S. KAPLAN M.D., PH.D.3
1 Professor of psychiatry and director of psychiatric training and education, department of psychiatry, New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York, N. Y.
2 Professor of psychiatry and chairman of the department, department of psychiatry, New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York, N. Y.
3 Assistant professor of psychiatry and chief, psychosomatic medicine service, department of psychiatry, New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York, N. Y.
A study at New York Medical College revealed a fairly high correlation between performance on an objective written examination in psychiatry and clinical competence of psychiatric residents as evaluated by the faculty. The study thus indicated that the National Board of Medical Examiners examination is a reasonably good test for evaluating residents, although a better one could probably be constructed. The authors note, however, that other factors which cannot be evaluated by an objective test also make a substantial contribution to psychiatric competence.
