Resident recruitment in the COVID-19 era: factors influencing program ranking by residents applying to a family medicine-emergency medicine training program

Abstract

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic has created numerous unique challenges for the recruitment of prospective trainees. Cancellation of visiting electives and in-person interviews created challenges for programs to showcase elements that have been shown to influence applicants' program selection, including geographical considerations and program collegiality. Novel strategies have been recommended and employed to facilitate candidate recruitment, but it is unclear how influential such strategies are on candidates' program ranking. It is also unclear what factors influence program selection among CCFP(EM) candidates. We sought to evaluate the impact of novel recruitment strategies on applicants' ranking of the University of Ottawa CCFP(EM) program and determine factors which were most influential in applicants' first-choice program selection. Methods An online survey was distributed to all candidates (n = 127) who applied to the University of Ottawa CCFP(EM) program. The survey instrument included 33 items. Respondents were asked to rate on a 3-point scale how influential specific recruitment strategies were on their ranking of our program and the influence of different training factors on their selection of first-choice program. ResultsThe survey response rate was 27% (34/127). Recruitment strategies rated as most positively influential included virtual one-on-one meetings with program directors (100%), virtual Q&A sessions (77.8%), virtual communication with chief residents (73.3%), and a mailed personalized recruitment package (72.2%). The top factors influencing applicants' first-choice program selection included: collegiality between faculty and residents (96.4%); level of responsibility given to residents (96.4%); support within the program (96.4%); and procedural opportunities within the program (96.3%). Conclusion Facilitating virtual personal interaction with program leadership is highly influential in how CCFP(EM) candidates rank programs. CCFP(EM) candidates value characteristics of a training program over the geographical location and available amenities. Program leaders should consider these findings when recruiting prospective candidates.

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

“…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. Similar virtual experiences have been found to be particularly beneficial in other populations 39 . Our qualitative analysis sheds further light on applicant perspectives by emphasizing the importance of structured socials: using conversation starters or delivering program information in a gamified format, e.g., trivia.…”

A Canadian survey of residency applicants’ and interviewers’ perceptions of the 2021 CaRMS R1 virtual interviews

“…Moreover, visiting electives will provide applicants with adequate opportunities to learn about the programs while retaining all the benefits of the virtual format for the CaRMS interviews. Prior research has shown that visiting electives substantially impact the choice of specialty and location of future practice for applicants [ 1 , 2 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…Historically, the performance of medical students on their residency interviews was used by the residency program selection committees to assess applicants’ fit for their program. Medical students rely on electives and residency interviews to choose a residency program that is the best fit for them [ 1 , 2 ]. With the COVID-19 pandemic, postgraduate medical education programs across Canada cancelled all visiting electives starting March of 2020, limiting opportunities for medical students to gain in-person exposure and showcase their abilities and interests to programs outside of their home school [ 3 ].…”

A Canadian survey of residency applicants’ and interviewers’ perceptions of the 2021 CaRMS R1 virtual interviews.

“…Moreover, reinstating away electives would provide applicants with adequate opportunities to learn about the programs while retaining all the bene ts of the virtual format for the CaRMS interviews. Prior research has shown that away electives substantially impact the choice of specialty and location of future practice for applicants (Curran et al, 2007;Courneya et al, 2019;Shah et al, 2021;Leppard et al, 2021).…”

“…Historically, the performance of medical students on their electives and residency interviews was used by the residency program selection committees to assess applicants' t for their program. Medical students rely on electives and residency interviews to choose a residency program that is the best t for them (Leppard et al, 2021). With the COVID-19 pandemic, postgraduate medical education programs across Canada cancelled all visiting electives starting March of 2020, limiting opportunities for medical students to gain in-person exposure and showcase their abilities and interests to programs outside of their home school (The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC), 2020).…”