How do emergency medicine applicants evaluate residency programs in the post–COVID‐19 era?

Abstract

Objectives: Pandemic disruptions to interviews and away rotations led applicants to rely on alternative sources of information about residency programs. We sought to compare program characteristics important to emergency medicine (EM)-bound applicants from before and after the pandemic. We also investigated the sources of information pandemic impacted applicants used during residency recruitment.Methods: This was a multi-institutional, cross-sectional survey of applicants to EM residency programs. We asked applicants about important factors in choosing a program and compared their response to results from 2019 National Residency Match Program. We also asked about alternative information sources used during this time of restricted access to programs of interest. Results:We surveyed 414 applicants from 40 medical schools and attained a response rate of 38.4%. Compared to 2019 applicants, our respondents identified morale of residents and quality of faculty as important factors in choosing a residency. Our subjects cited websites of the program and hospital affiliate, current residents, faculty/ mentor advice, Reddit, and Doximity as sources of program information.Conclusions: Compared to 2019, our EM-bound applicants who, because of the pandemic, were unable to visit programs of interest valued resident morale and faculty quality as factors in choosing a residency program. Without in-person visits, our subjects also had to use both virtual resources (e.g., websites) and traditional sources (e.g., mentor advice) to investigate a program's culture, reputation, and diversity and inclusion.Residency programs should monitor their online presence now that this has become an alternative source of information for applicants during curtailment of in-person visits.

The more things change the more they stay the same: Factors influencing emergency medicine residency selection in the virtual era

“…As reflected in a recent study by Mackey et al., 38 it is more important than ever in the era of virtual interviews that programs are intentional about providing clear information and conveying program culture. We found that interview socials and program‐hosted information sessions were ranked as particularly important, suggesting that applicants are using a program's virtual presence to make decisions about their rank lists.…”

“…While this may be true, it is important that programs integrate the desire expressed by applicants for individualized interview experiences with best practices advocated by national organizations which include standardized interviews as part of a holistic recruitment process. 36,37 As reflected in a recent study by Mackey et al, 38 it is more important than ever in the era of virtual interviews that programs are intentional about providing clear information and conveying program culture. We found that interview socials and program-hosted information sessions were ranked as particularly important, suggesting that applicants are using a program's virtual presence to make decisions about their rank lists.…”

Evidence‐Informed Emergency Medicine Career Advising

“…9 The Journal of Emergency Medicine's "Medical Student Forum" section, written by a diverse array of EM educators, offers focused reviews that address many aspects of the application process. 10 Though applicants turn to sites like Reddit to learn about residency programs, 11 we recommend against engaging with anonymous online discussion forums, as data presented on these sites may be inaccurate or misleading. 4 Students should also note that all EM specialty organizations jointly oppose residency rankings due to serious methodological concerns.…”

“…Although the amount of and type of information presented on these websites varies, 24 programs' online presence has consistently been shown to be an important source of information for applicants. 11 The transition to primarily virtual interactions may affect applicants' perception of "fit." 25…”

Virtual interviews and equity: The pediatric pulmonary fellow perspective

“…However, we hypothesized that virtual interviewing may still introduce inequities to be addressed, specifically with regard to disparities in access to technology. We hope to build on prior knowledge regarding understanding which VI-associated factors applicants find important for ranking programs, 23,24 including diversity and inclusion aspects of programs. We conducted a comprehensive medical literature review of VIs and equity, implicit bias, and mitigating bias.…”