To the Point: advising students applying to Obstetrics and Gynecology residency in 2020 and beyond

Abstract

This article, from the “To the Point” series by the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Undergraduate Medical Education Committee, is a guide for advising medical students applying to Obstetrics and Gynecology residency programs. The residency application process is changing rapidly in response to an increasingly complex and competitive atmosphere, with wider recognition of the stress, expense, and difficulty of matching into graduate training programs. The COVID-19 pandemic and societal upheaval make this application cycle more challenging than ever before. Medical students need reliable, accurate, honest advising from faculty in their field of choice in order to apply successfully to residency. The authors outline a model for faculty career advisors, distinct from mentors or general academic advisors. The faculty career advisor has detailed knowledge about the field, an in-depth understanding of the application process and what constitutes a strong application. The faculty career advisor provides accurate information regarding residency programs within the specialty, helping students to strategically apply to programs where the student is likely to match, decreasing anxiety, expense and over-application. Faculty career advisor teams advise students throughout the application process with periodic review of student portfolios and are available for support and advice throughout the process. The authors provide a guide for the faculty career advisor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, including faculty development and quality improvement.

Essential yet Ill-defined: leadership roles to support fourth-year medical students in pediatrics

“…The literature also supports the idea that fourth-year directors with specialty-specific expertise are essential in advising students. In a training environment that is becoming increasingly competitive and unpredictable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that institutions identify specialty-specific fourth-year directors who are able to provide a holistic approach to navigating the residency application process [ 14 ]. Advising students as they map out their path to a career in pediatrics requires an approach that integrates efforts of student affairs staff, clerkship directors, career advisors and teaching faculty [ 17 ].…”

“…In contrast, standardized roles and responsibilities for clerkship directors have been developed [2,3], including a recommendation for faculty protected time [4]. Responsibilities for directing pediatric fourth-year activities are substantial, including significant advising requirements, coaching during sub-internships, and direction of residency preparatory courses [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. This study is an attempt to clarify the current responsibilities and protected time for pediatric fourth-year directors across the US and Canada as well as elicit the opinions of faculty regarding ideal roles and protected time for this position.…”

Advising Medical Students After the Dobbs Decision

“…Several states prohibit anyone from "aiding and abetting" abortions. 1 Texas even allows citizens to earn financial rewards for suing such providers or others. Several states allow abortions only in "medical emergencies," raising questions about the exact definition of this term.…”

Medical Student Portfolios: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…Evidence of Activities • Curriculum Vitae 54,138 • Research projects 47,55,67,80,145 • Elective reports 1,91 • Presentations 67,80,112 • Personal achievements 63,68,129 • Membership in professional societies 145 • Extracurricular activities Learning activities 53,108 Activities may be those conducted internally or extra-curricular activities 108 Evidence of self-assessment…”