Dataset Information

Development, implementation, and uptake of a novel Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) residency recruitment committee strategy in the era of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Given restrictions on electives outside of medical students' home institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the objective of this study was to create a novel recruitment strategy for the University of Ottawa's (uOttawa) urology residency program.

Methods

A steering committee was formed and created a three-part recruitment strategy that included a new uOttawa urology website, a residency program social media campaign (Twitter and Instagram), and a virtual open house (VOH). Descriptive data from the website and Instagram and Twitter accounts were collected. Attendees of the VOH completed a mixed-methods survey, which collected quantitative and qualitive responses assessing aspects of the VOH and virtual resource use.

Results

From August 1 to December 31, 2020, the uOttawa urology website had 1707 visits. The Twitter account had a total of 29 000 views with 1000-5000 views per tweet. Thirty-one candidates attended the VOH. Survey responders reported that the most frequently used resources to gain knowledge of the program were the website (81%) and Twitter account (71%). The most helpful and informative resources were the uOttawa urology website, the VOH, and direct conversations with residents arranged through the website. Despite not having completed an elective, 26 students (84%) felt they had an understanding of what it might feel like to train in the program. Suggestions by students for future initiatives included one-on-one virtual meetings, another VOH, and more information on selection processes.

Conclusions

A multifaceted, virtual recruitment strategy can be implemented to improve candidate understanding and engagement with residency programs while visiting elective opportunities remain limited.

SUBMITTER: Nham E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9245950 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Development, implementation, and uptake of a novel Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) residency recruitment committee strategy in the era of COVID-19.

Nham Emily E Kumar Ravi R McAlpine Kristen K Seabrook Christine C Valle Marika M Menard Isabel I Watterson James J Roberts Matthew M

Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada 20220601 6

<h4>Introduction</h4>Given restrictions on electives outside of medical students' home institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the objective of this study was to create a novel recruitment strategy for the University of Ottawa's (uOttawa) urology residency program.<h4>Methods</h4>A steering committee was formed and created a three-part recruitment strategy that included a new uOttawa urology website, a residency program social media campaign (Twitter and Instagram), and a virtual open house ( ...[more]

PMID: 35099387

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundAll Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) R1 interviews were conducted virtually for the first time in 2021. We explored the facilitators, barriers, and implications of the virtual interview process for the CaRMS R1 match and provide recommendations for improvement.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey study of CaRMS R1 residency applicants and interviewers across Canada in 2021. Surveys were distributed by email to the interviewers, and by email, social media, or newsletter to the applicants. Inductive thematic analysis was used for open-ended items. Recommendations were provided as frequencies to demonstrate strength. Close-ended items were described and compared across groups using Chi-Square Fisher's Exact tests.ResultsA total of 127 applicants and 400 interviewers, including 127 program directors, responded to the survey. 193/380 (50.8%) interviewers and 90/118 (76.3%) applicants preferred virtual over in-person interview formats. Facilitators of the virtual interview format included cost and time savings, ease of scheduling, reduced environmental impact, greater equity, less stress, greater reach and participation, and safety. Barriers of the virtual interview format included reduced informal conversations, limited ability for applicants to explore programs at different locations, limited ability for programs to assess applicants' interest, technological issues, concern for interview integrity, limited non-verbal communication, and reduced networking. The most helpful media for applicants to learn about residency programs were program websites, the CaRMS/AFMC websites, and recruitment videos. Additionally, panel interviews were preferred by applicants for their ability to showcase themselves and build connections with multiple interviewers. Respondents provided recommendations regarding: (1) dissemination of program information, (2) the use of technology, and (3) the virtual interview format.ConclusionsPerceptions of 2021 CaRMS R1 virtual interviews were favourable among applicants and interviewers. Recommendations from this study can help improve future iterations of virtual interviews.

Dataset Information

Development, implementation, and uptake of a novel Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) residency recruitment committee strategy in the era of COVID-19.

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Development, implementation, and uptake of a novel Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) residency recruitment committee strategy in the era of COVID-19.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets