Development, implementation, and uptake of a novel CaRMS residency recruitment committee strategy in the era of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Given restrictions on electives outside of medical students’ home institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the objective of this study was to create a novel recruitment strategy for the University of Ottawa’s (uOttawa) urology residency program. Methods: A steering committee was formed and created a three-part recruitment strategy that included a new uOttawa urology website, a residency program social media campaign (Twitter and Instagram), and a virtual open house (VOH). Descriptive data from the website and Instagram and Twitter accounts were collected. Attendees of the VOH completed a mixed-methods survey, which collected quantitative and qualitive responses assessing aspects of the VOH and virtual resource use. Results: From August 1 to December 31, 2020, the uOttawa urology website had 1707 visits. The Twitter account had a total of 29 000 views with 1000–5000 views per tweet. Thirty-one candidates attended the VOH. Survey responders reported that the most frequently used resources to gain knowledge of the program were the website (81%) and Twitter account (71%). The most helpful and informative resources were the uOttawa urology website, the VOH, and direct conversations with residents arranged through the website. Despite not having completed an elective, 26 students (84%) felt they had an understanding of what it might feel like to train in the program. Suggestions by students for future initiatives included one-on-one virtual meetings, another VOH, and more information on selection processes. Conclusions: A multifaceted, virtual recruitment strategy can be implemented to improve candidate understanding and engagement with residency programs while visiting elective opportunities remain limited.

Introducing the Canadian Urology Student Interest Group (CUSIG): Initial experience from a national webinar with recently matched Canadian urology residents for medical students

“…To overcome the challenges created by limiting time in single-entry specialties and the suspension of visiting electives, numerous initiatives were undertaken to pivot toward fostering virtual connections between applicants and programs. 1,2,[6][7][8][9][10] This is the underpinning for the start of the CUSIG as a means to connect students to different virtual events in urology with the hope that having one primary source of communication would enable more participation, connection, and benefit for students and Canadian urology programs.…”

“…presence through websites or social media platforms and began hosting virtual events to increase interaction with applicants. 6,7 Student interest groups have also leveraged this increased online presence to build national medical student specialty interest groups in ophthalmology, neurosurgery, and radiology. [8][9][10] These student-led nationwide interest groups have been found to foster a sense of community among medical students enabling them to connect with coapplicants and residency programs.…”

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DISCUSSIONTo overcome the challenges created by limiting time in single-entry specialties and the suspension of visiting electives, numerous initiatives were undertaken to pivot toward fostering virtual connections between applicants and programs. 1,2,[6][7][8][9][10] This is the underpinning for the start of the CUSIG as a means to connect students to different virtual events in urology with the hope that having one primary source of communication would enable more participation, connection, and benefit for students and Canadian urology programs.National Canadian specialty interest groups are a novel concept. In the last two years, many initiatives were founded and launched by Canadian groups in ophthalmology (COSIG) and neurosurgery (CAMSIGN) that aim to unite medical students interested in particular subspecialties.

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“…8,9 These initiatives have been shown to benefit students by providing a greater sense of connection through events and programs. 6 While subcommittees of the Canadian Urology Association (CUA) provide high-quality undergraduate medical education curriculum in urology, organize national conferences wherein medical students can participate, and advocate for equity diversity and inclusivity within urology, the success of COSIG and CAMSIGN highlight the value in trainee-led initiatives for undergraduate trainees. In collaboration with existing groups such as the Canadian Undergraduate Urology Committee of the CUA (CanUUC), CUSIG hopes to augment and advance these initiatives at the trainee level.…”

Residency recruiting: Are virtual open houses here to stay?

“…I applaud the University of Ottawa's documentation of their urology residency recruitment experience. 1 Having just completed a second year of "virtual electives" and staring down yet another year of restrictions, the data is welcomed.…”