The effects of group dynamics on resident progress committee deliberations

Background: Prior investigations suggest that resident progress decisions by committee provide a broader perspective on performance and result in less grade inflation. There is countervailing concern that group dynamics may compromise quality of progress decisions. Purpose: To determine whether and how group dynamics compromise decision making about resident progress. Methods: Researchers recorded and analyzed participant comments during a resident progress committee meeting. End-of-rotation (EOR) evaluations were analyzed and compared to progress committee meeting results. Results: EOR and progress committee comments were similar in content. The ratio Of specific to general comments was higher for EOR evaluations (5: 1) than for progress committee meetings (2: 1). EOR evaluation comments provided more supporting evidence for assertions. Individual progress committee participants did not dominate discussion or sway decision making. Participant progress committee meeting comments were consistent with their EOR comments failing to support the presence of progress committee meeting feeding frenzies. Conclusions: Results suggest that progress committee meeting group dynamics do not seriously compromise the validity of resident progress decisions.