Postdoctoral Recruitment in Neuropsychology: A Review and Call for Inter-Organizational Action

Abstract

The history of centralized matches for postgraduate selection is briefly discussed with a focus on the match instituted by the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) in 2001] Survey data, conducted both by APPCN and independently, are summarized. In general, despite incomplete participation and an estimated 30% rate of "exploding offers", applicants are somewhat satisfied with the match according to recent surveys (although satisfaction varies depending on whether an applicant matched). Given the high rate of withdrawal, the history of other specialties with suboptimal participation, and the concerns most commonly expressed by participants about this issue in survey data, there is cause for concern. We assert that incomplete participation in the match hurts applicants and programs. We propose that focused efforts are needed involving multiple organizations to enhance the match, including the Clinical Neuropsychology Synarchy (CNS) as our specialty council and the multiple organizations represented on the CNS.

Commentary: the postdoctoral residency match in clinical neuropsychology

“…This results in confusion and stress on the part of applicants and program directors. Previous surveys suggest that student satisfaction with the match Downloaded by [University of Sussex Library] at 00:29 29 June 2016 depends on their success with obtaining a match and a majority of those surveys are dissatisfied with the lack of a uniform system of recruitment (see Belanger et al, 2013). This paper has outlined the clear benefits of the match to postdoctoral training in clinical neuropsychology and to the specialty itself.…”

“…In turn, applicants might feel pressure to accept offers (i.e. a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush) and programs feel competitive pressure to make earlier and earlier offers to preempt other programs (Belanger et al, 2013;Roth & Peranson, 1999). Centralized match systems are designed to avoid the problems inherent in unregulated systems by providing and enforcing an agreed-upon timeline for offers and acceptances, allowing programs and applicants to consider all of their options without pressure to make a premature decision, and facilitating matches based on the actual preferences of programs and applicants.…”

“…Previous efforts have been made to discuss centralized recruiting markets in the neuropsychology (Belanger et al, 2013), gastroenterology (Niederle & Roth, 2004), legal (Clark, 1995;Kozinski, 1991;Wald, 1990), and economics (Roth & Peranson, 1999;Roth & Xing, 1997) literature. Unregulated recruiting systems have been termed 'open recruitment' or 'rolling admissions' .…”

Postdoctoral training in neuropsychology: A review of the history, trends, and current issues.

“…Despite the success of the APPCN match, concerns continue regarding postdoctoral recruitment in neuropsychology (see Belanger et al, 2013). For the 2013 match, there were 106 applicants for 80 positions resulting in 31% of participants not obtaining a match.…”

“…As a result, clinical neuropsychology lacks consensus regarding how to conduct postdoctoral recruitment. A solution to this problem will involve broad organizational involvement that to date has been lacking (Belanger et al, 2013).…”