Factors That Influence Medical Student Selection of an Emergency Medicine Residency Program: Implications for Training Programs

Abstract

Objectives: An understanding of student decision-making when selecting an emergency medicine (EM) training program is essential for program directors as they enter interview season. To build upon preexisting knowledge, a survey was created to identify and prioritize the factors influencing candidate decision-making of U.S. medical graduates.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multi-institutional study that anonymously surveyed U.S. allopathic applicants to EM training programs. It took place in the 3-week period between the 2011 National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) rank list submission deadline and the announcement of match results.Results: Of 1,525 invitations to participate, 870 candidates (57%) completed the survey. Overall, 96% of respondents stated that both geographic location and individual program characteristics were important to decision-making, with approximately equal numbers favoring location when compared to those who favored program characteristics. The most important factors in this regard were preference for a particular geographic location (74.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 72% to 78%) and to be close to spouse, significant other, or family (59.7%, 95% CI = 56% to 63%). Factors pertaining to geographic location tend to be out of the control of the program leadership. The most important program factors include the interview experience (48.9%, 95% CI = 46% to 52%), personal experience with the residents (48.5%, 95% CI = 45% to 52%), and academic reputation (44.9%, 95% CI = 42% to 48%). Unlike location, individual program factors are often either directly or somewhat under the control of the program leadership. Several other factors were ranked as the most important factor a disproportionate number of times, including a rotation in that emergency department (ED), orientation (academic vs. community), and duration of training (3-year vs. 4-year programs). For a subset of applicants, these factors had particular importance in overall decision-making. Conclusions:The vast majority of applicants to EM residency programs employed a balance of geographic location factors with individual program factors in selecting a residency program. Specific program characteristics represent the greatest opportunity to maximize the success of the immediate interview experience ⁄ season, while others provide potential for strategic planning over time. A working knowledge of these results empowers program directors to make informed decisions while providing an appreciation for the limitations in attracting applicants.

Use of the Interview in Resident Candidate Selection: A Review of the Literature

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] The interview may also identify negative applicant characteristics such as anxiety or aggression. 21 Candidates value the interview process highly, 22,23 and cite the quality of interactions with the program director 24 and, most important, with the residents [25][26][27] during the interview as important in their decision making. Applicants value the interaction with residents during an interview to assess resident morale, 28 esprit de corps, 29 and program ''red flags'' as perceived by applicants.…”

Critical Appraisal of Emergency Medicine Education Research: The Best Publications of 2012

“…Five of these articles appeared in our highlighted section, but for each one of those featured, this metric was a secondary outcome measure. 18,33,41,45,46 Pediatric topics accounted for nine (19%) of the articles reviewed. [20][21][22]24,40,41,55,56,58 The two that are in the highlighted section used technology as the basis of their studies, and both received funding.…”

“…The sources of funding were as follows: five federal (two NIH, one Canada, and one Taiwan), five universitysponsored, two industry-supported, and two organizationally funded. Research methodology included 17 surveys (36%), 17,19,21,25,30,31,33,37,40,42,46,[50][51][52]54,60,61 15 (31%) observational analyses, [14][15][16]22,23,27,32,33,38,44,47,49,56,57,59 and three (6%) qualitative methodology studies. 19,28,45 There were only 12 (25%) with an experimental or quasi-experimental study design, 20,24,26,35,36,39,41,43,48,53,55,57 with five of the highlighted articles using this rigorous design.…”

“…Seven quantitative studies met a priori criteria as methodologically superior publications in education research. 33,35,36,41,43,46,55 …”

Women in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: An Analysis of Data From Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–approved Residency Programs

“…3 A survey of EM training applicants identified geographic location and program characteristics including, but not limited to, influences such as reputation of the program, length of the program, interview experience, and personal experience with residents as priorities. 4 Levine et al 5 interviewed female medical students and found that sex seems to play a role, albeit complex, in how female medical students look at a residency mentoring relationship. Respondents in this study also identified a need for access to female mentors.…”