Using a 360-degree assessment of pediatric residency training: experience at Prince of Songkla University, Thailand

Background: The Department of Pediatrics, Prince of Songkla University (PSU) with 7-10 pediatric residents per year has implied a 360-degree evaluating instrument for residency training since 2007.

Objective: We determined the competency ratings of pediatric residents during their training.

Methods: During 2007-2011, 23 pediatric residents finished the pediatric residency program. At each ward rotation, each pediatric resident was rated for competency skills by four different categories of raters: attending staff, nurses, medical students, and the patients’ parents. The average score of each competency given by each category of raters was calculated, and was compared to scores of multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and constructed response questions (CRQ) of Thai Board of Pediatric Examination.

Results: The mean overall scores of each resident rated by the attending staff, nurses, medical students, and patients’ parents increased with year of residency training. The mean overall scores of each resident rated by attending physicians were positively correlated with the MCQ (r = 0.42, p = 0.04) and CRQ (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) scores of the Thai Board of Pediatrics Examination.

Conclusion: The 360-degree assessments with ratings by attending physicians during the pediatric training are reliable for assessment the medical knowledge of the residents.