Figure 1. Schematic of a conceptual framework suggesting how available evaluation methods can combine to yield a comprehensive picture of trainee ability through assessment of various abilities comprising resident competence. The modest correlation (r = 0.47) between OPE and written examination scores may indicate that the performance on the OPE presupposes a certain foundation of factual knowledge. This is schematically represented by the overlap between the ITE and OPE assessment areas. Faculty evaluation assesses interpersonal skills and technical competency but takes into account other skills and traits. This view is represented graphically by the overlap between the faculty, ONS, and ITE evaluation areas. It is supported by the modest but not insignificant observed correlation (r = 0.43) between faculty ratings and OPE performance. The fact that performance scores representing each of the three evaluation methods are only modestly correlated likely means that each method evaluates a somewhat different skill set. However, it is unknown how much of gap between the observed correlation and a "perfect" correlation (e.g., r = 0.95–1.0) is caused by variability unrelated to resident performance.