OBJECTIVE: To explore the utility of peer review (review by fellow interns or residents in the firm) as an additional method of evaluation
in a university categorical internal medicine residency program.
DESIGN/PARTICIPANTS: Senior residents and interns were asked to complete evaluations of interns at the end-of-month ward rotations.
MAIN RESULTS: Response rates for senior residents evaluating 16 interns were 70%; for interns evaluating interns, 35%. Analysis of 177
instruments for 16 interns showed high internal consistency in the evaluations. Factor analysis supported a two-dimensional
view of clinical competence. Correlations between faculty, senior resident, and intern assessments of interns were good, although
varied by domain.
CONCLUSIONS: An end-of-year attitude survey found that residents gave high ratings to the value of feedback from peers.
Key words education - internal medicine - peer evaluation - residency training - humanism