In 1975, a questionnaire was sent to otolaryngology program directors, which asked if they utilized a periodic, formal evaluation of resident performance in areas other than cognitive recall-type information. The response was gratifying with 84 replies, although part of the data will not be adequate for valid statistical analysis.
PROS AND CONS OF EVALUATIONS
Residents are evaluated after termination of their residency training by examination of the American Board of Otolaryngology and by the rating scales submitted to the Board by program directors and other staff members. During residency training, not all programs objectively evaluate resident performance even though there are a number of reasons why that would be valuable. The periodic evaluation of residents throughout their training provides positive and negative reinforcement that may stimulate change. Some teachers may reply, "I really don't need a formal session to do that, I already chew them out if they do something