Global rating forms, the tool that program directors use most frequently to document residents' competence, may not be adequate to assess the six general competencies. The results are consistent with earlier published research indicating that physicians view competence in just two broad dimensions, which questions the premise of the six ACGME competencies. Further research is needed to validate and measure six distinct dimensions of clinical competence.

Psychometric support for measuring the components of Knowledge and Clinical Capabilities, and Professionalism provides an instrument to empirically evaluate educational outcomes to medical educators who are in search of such a tool.