Predictive validity of personal statements and the role of the five-factormodel of personality in relation to medical training

This paper explores the role of personality, and the predictive validities of personal statements (PSs) and previous academic performance in relation to future performance in medical training. One hundred and seventy-six medi cal students had their application PSs coded into information categories an d were followed over a 1-year period and assessed on (1) 21 different asses sments (observations, exams, essays, etc.) and (2) the dimensions of the fi ve-factor model (FFM) of personality. Neither the PS information categories nor the amount of information in PSs were found to be predictive of future performance. However, both previous academic performance (Betas .41 and .4 5) and conscientiousness (Betas .58 and .49), from the FFM, were related to success in medical training. Conscientiousness also demonstrated increment al validity over previous academic performance. Implications concerning the role of personality in medical selection are discussed in terms of trait c omplexes and trait facets.