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LETTERS: Woody Caan and D R Nethercott Personality and performance during a medical degree BMJ 2003; 326: 986b [Full text]

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Responses to Professor Caan and Dr Nethercott: Personality during the medical degree

Eamonn Ferguson, David James   (3 May 2003)

A difference of opinion

nj brooker   (4 May 2003)

Responses to Professor Caan and Dr Nethercott: Personality during the medical degree 3 May 2003
Eamonn Ferguson, Reader in Health Psychology School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, David James Send response to journal: Re: Responses to Professor Caan and Dr Nethercott: Personality during the medical degree	The concerns expressed by Professor Caan are legitimate. Indeed, our paper shows (the structural model) that conscientiousness is not a positive predictor across the undergraduate medical degree. Furthermore, conscientiousness may not be a desirable trait in all aspects of medical practice. We state in the article that conscientiousness and information from personal statements should be used as a guide to aid selection decisions and not simple used ‘blindly’ with cut off scores. Is the cat out of the bag at Dr Nethercott suggests. The personal statement categories identified were used to predict performance on the undergraduate medical degree, and not who gets selected to the degree. Indeed, certain personal statements and not others may be beneficial in selection, but not necessarily in performance prediction. Furthermore, we used a general overall score for the personal statement categories rather than reporting data on individual categories, some of which negatively predict success. Finally, lists of personal statement categories, such as these, can be used to develope a structured and scored bio-data form. This should add to the fairness in the selection process, as all candidates can state whether or not they have done any of the listed activities. In which case everyone has the same opportunity to respond to all the categories. Competing interests:   None declared
A difference of opinion 4 May 2003
nj brooker, sho psychiatry sa2 Send response to journal: Re: A difference of opinion	Sir - as a medical student I thought doctors needed to be caring, competent and conventional. As a doctor I've amended this to; cash, connections and charm. Competing interests:   None declared