Abstract
Recent work (Cook et al, Ped Res Abs 1976) has established a relationship (r=.47) between a physician's moral reasoning and the quality of clinical performance. To extend these studies of non-cognitive abilities a standardized interview was conducted with 100 residents in Pediatrics and Medicine, focusing on the doctor-patient relationship. Each subject's interview was scored blind (i.e., without knowledge of the subject's responses to other questions or of his performance rating). Responses were analyzed according to a fully defined 40-category scoring system. A Role Concept Index was computed using those categories which, on the basis of theory and pilot research, were expected to distinguish good from poor physicians. Clinical performance was independently rated by faculty on a 7-point scale. To date, 26 interviews have been analyzed. Initial results show a correlation of .41 (p<.05) between the Role Concept Index and overall performance. In particular, superior residents are distinguished in 15 role concept categories including the following: 1) role-taking ability (seeing the patient's problem from the patient's perspective), 2) encouragement of patients' participation in their management, 3) knowing one's own limits, 4) willingness to take responsibility, 5) willingness to make personal sacrifices, and 6) ability to prevent personal problems from interfering with patient care. The usefulness of the Role Concept Index in predicting clinical performance suggests its inclusion among criteria for residents' selection and evaluation.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Candee, D., Cook, C. 486 ROLE CONCEPTS AS PREDICTORS OF RESIDENTS PERFORMANCE. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 444 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00491
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00491