Prediction of student clinical performance

The predictive validity of 'traditional' tools utilized in the selection of medical students was evaluated in a 'non-traditional' selection paradigm, where a wide range of previous-academic ability was represented. The validity of the use of pre-academic grades and examination scores in the prediction of success in clinical performance was examined in a medical school which de-emphasizes these indicators and emphasizes personal characteristics assessed via interview ratings in student selection. Grades and examination scores were found to have no relation to clinical ratings which have an added interpersonal and community emphasis during the fourth-sixth years of medical school. A positive trend was found for interview ratings with clinical performance, but the skewed nature of interview scores was seen as limiting investigation of this variable. The meaning of these results vis-à-vis the continued use of academic and examination related selection criteria was discussed.