Applicants' Choice of an Ophthalmology Residency Program

Abstract

Objective To determine the factors most important to applicants when selecting an ophthalmology residency program. Design Cross-sectional survey. Participants All 595 applicants who submitted a rank list to the Ophthalmology Residency Matching Program for the 2012 match. Methods Participants anonymously completed a 25-item questionnaire after the submission of their rank lists. A multiple-choice format and ordinal scale were used to query applicants on demographics, career plans, and the importance of factors related to program characteristics. One question allowed a free text response to identify factors that caused the applicant to rank a program lower than other programs or not at all (i.e., “red flag”). Main Outcome Measures Factors important to applicants when creating their rank lists. Results The response rate was 37% (218/595). The 3 most important factors affecting rank lists were resident–faculty relationships, clinical and surgical volume, and diversity of training. The fourth most important was the interview experience with faculty; poor interview experience was the most frequently cited “red flag.” Age, gender, and marital status did not affect how applicants rated factors. Applicants planning a post-residency fellowship or an academic career placed greater importance on opportunities for resident research and a program's prestige (P<0.0001). Female and ethnic minority applicants placed greater importance on the diversity of faculty and residents by gender or ethnicity (P<0.0001). Conclusions Applicants rated educational and interpersonal factors as more important than geographic factors when selecting an ophthalmology residency program. Future career plans and demographic factors influenced the rating of specific factors. The results of this study provide a useful resource to programs preparing for the match.

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

“…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. 30 Ultimately, program directors and residents have reported that their ''gut feeling'' is important in creating their respective rank lists. 29,31 The resident selection interview also has been criticized for its ''dubious value,'' 32 due to the lack of a standardized approach and low interrater reliability.…”

Do otolaryngology residency applicants relocate for training?

“…Although applicants generally consider academic factors of primary importance in residency selection, surveys from the last several years across many specialties have demonstrated that applicants also consider geography when deciding where they would like to go for residency. [3][4][5][6][7] One study noted that location is the third most-important ranking criterion among otolaryngology applicants, whereas program directors believe that location is a less-important factor. 3 The authors theorize that when selection committees have to decide between two equally qualified applicants, they are biased toward choosing the applicant that is closer geographically.…”

Evaluation of Ophthalmology Residency Program Web Sites

“…4,6,8 Surgical volume was identified as a factor influencing rank order lists in a survey of ophthalmology residency applicants. 21 It is an integral part of training and can have implications on future career paths, yet 26% of programs provided surgical statistics. However, career placement of resident alumni may provide insight into career paths of residents training at an institution, and this was provided by about half of programs.…”