The Residency Match: Interview Experiences, Postinterview Communication, and Associated Distress.

ABSTRACT:

Background?

Interview experiences and postinterview communication during the residency match process can cause distress for applicants, and deserve further study.

Objective?

We both quantified and qualified the nature of various interview behaviors during the 2015-2016 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Match and collected applicant perspectives on postinterview communication and preferences for policy change.

Methods?

An anonymous, 31-question survey was sent to residency candidates applying to 8 residency programs at a single academic institution regarding their experiences at all programs where they interviewed.

Results?

Of 6693 candidates surveyed, 2079 (31%) responded. Regarding interview experiences, applicants reported being asked at least once about other interviews, marital status, and children at the following rates: 72%, 38%, and 17%, respectively, and such questions arose at a reported mean of 25%, 14%, and 5% of programs, respectively. Female applicants were more frequently asked about children than male applicants (22% versus 14%, P?Conclusions?Applicants to several residency programs reported being asked questions that violate the NRMP Code of Conduct. The majority of applicants would prefer postinterview communication to be more regulated and less prevalent.

SUBMITTER: Berriochoa C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6108351 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature