Resident selection process and prediction of clinical performance in an obstetrics and gynecology program.

BACKGROUND To date, there is no published data showing a correlation between the National Residency Matching Program Ranklist position and performance in residency. PURPOSE The background was to assess whether a residency applicant selection process is able to predict the subsequent performance of candidates during residency. METHODS Over a period of 3 academic years, resident candidates were invited to a structured interview process. This interview process was used to generate a rank list for the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). We evaluated the clinical performance of the residents that matched to our program at the end of the 1st postgraduate year. We then examined the correlation between the NRMP rank position and the residents' clinical performance score. RESULTS For the 3 academic years, the residents mean total performance score was similar for the residents for each of the years. There was a positive correlation between the resident candidate NRMP rank list percentile and the subsequent 1st year clinical performance evaluation score (r = .60, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS A structured selection process of residency applicants can predict their subsequent 1st year clinical performance.