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Personal characteristics of residents may predict competency improvement

Authors

  • EunMi Park EdD,

    Corresponding author
    1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
    • Send correspondence to EunMi Park, EdD, 601 N. Caroline Street, 6F OHNS Suite, Baltimore, MD 21287-0910. E-mail: epark12@jhmi.edu

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  • Patrick K. Ha MD,

    1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
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  • David W. Eisele MD,

    1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
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  • Howard W. Francis MD, MBA,

    1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
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  • Young J. Kim MD, PhD

    1. Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A
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  • Presented at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings 2015, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., April 22–26, 2015.

  • The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis

We hypothesized that personal characteristics of residents may affect how well competency is attained in a surgical residency. To this end, we examined two concepts of global trait emotional intelligence and learner autonomy profile and their factor relationship with competency outcomes in a residency program in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery.

Study Design

A cohort study prospectively gathered competency change scores for 1 year and retrospectively analyzed the factor associations.

Methods

We measured two personal characteristics using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form and Learner Autonomy Profile-Short Form between 2013 and 2014 in a tertiary otolaryngology–head and neck residency program. We prospectively examined faculty-rated resident competency scores monitored in the same time period and correlated the personal attributes with cumulative competency improvement scores. Statistical analyses included factor correlations and univariate regression.

Results

With a response rate of 64% (N = 16/25), we identified two statically significant predictors of competency improvement outcome attained by the end of the year. Regression analyses showed that emotionality factor of global trait emotional intelligence (P = .04) and learner autonomy profile (P < .01) were significant predictors for the higher improvement of aggregate competency outcome.

Conclusions

Personal factors of individual residents can affect their improvement of overall competency. Practicing competency-based education should, therefore, include assessing individual resident factors as well as teaching clinical knowledge and technical skills.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 126:1746–1752, 2016

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