I knew this would come in handy one day!
From the CaRMS Task Force Guidelines for Reference Letter Writers:
?Reference letters should include:
- The type and duration of the referee's contact with the individual student
- In the body of the letter, please state whether or not the student has seen or will receive a copy of this letter
- Appropriate comment on the student's:
1. cognitive skills and knowledge
2. problem solving and patient management
3. behaviour and attitudinal skills
4. communication skills and working relationships
5. ability to work in a team
6. motivation and punctuality
7. sense of responsibility
8. procedural skills specific to the discipline to which the application is being made
?If the referee is unable to comment on a specific component of the student's performance in any of the above categories, he/she is asked to indicate that he/she did not observe or have knowledge of that particular component.
?Referees are encouraged to make comment on any special qualities they noticed or unique contributions of the applicant.?
From Iserson?s Getting Into a Residency (2000), 5th Edition, Chapter 12, p. 321-322:
?It is very useful to include the following items in reference letters for applicants to residency programs:
Scholastic Record
1. Standing in graduating class
2. Honours/commendations in courses
3. Other honours
Medical Abilities
1. Interaction with patients
2. Diagnostic ability
3. Physical examination ability
4. Laboratory use and test interpretation
5. Use of pharmacologic agents
6. Clarity of oral presentations
7. Clarity/completeness of charts
8. Knowledge of medical literature
Personal Characteristics (List strongest points first):
1. Relations with peers, faculty, ancillary staff
2. Willingness to assume responsibility
3. Dependability
4. Integrity; moral and ethical qualities
5. Industriousness
6. Initiative
7. Motivation
8. Interest
9. Maturity
10. Flexibility
11. Sense of humour
??Some specialties and programs now use a Standard Letter of Recommendation? designed to improve communication about applicants??
Includes key information, such as:
- How likely the applicant is to match at the reference?s residency program (?guaranteed,? ?very likely,? ?likely,? etc.)
- How their grade compares with those of other students from the same year
- How the applicant measures up compared to other applicants for which the reference has written letters.
