Medical student performance skills in otolaryngology

A clinical rating scale was developed to assess clinical skills of third-year medical students completing a two-week required clerkship in otolaryngology. Thirty-seven students in six consecutive small groups were rated with the instrument by themselves, their student peers, and the departmental staff, and the ratings compared. The instrument was usable and aceeptance was good. Agreement among the differenet rating bodies was poor, but single observations by staff or peers were suitably reliable when multiple raters were used. The "halo effect" was particularly evident in staff ratings.