Postinterview communication with residency applicants: a call for clarity!

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Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Oct;211(4):344-350.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.07.034. Epub 2014 Jul 25.

Postinterview communication with residency applicants: a call for clarity!.

American journal of obstetrics and gynecology

Gary N Frishman, Kristen A Matteson, Jessica L Bienstock, Karen E George, Tony Ogburn, Phillip N Rauk, Peter F Schnatz, Lee A Learman

Affiliations

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI. Electronic address: [email protected].
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN.
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine, Reading Hospital, Reading, PA and Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Internal Medicine, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.

PMID: 25068562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.07.034

Abstract

The residency match is an increasingly competitive process. Communication from medical student applicants to programs varies, and the effect this has on their rank status is unclear. We assessed how obstetrics and gynecology program directors interpret and act on postinterview communication initiated by applicants by conducting an anonymous cross-sectional web-based survey of allopathic obstetrics and gynecology program directors. One hundred thirty-seven program directors (55%) responded to the survey. Twenty-nine percent would consider ranking an applicant more favorably if the applicant expressed interest (beyond a routine thank you) or if a faculty mentor personally known to the program director stated that the applicant was ranking the program first. Fifty-two percent indicated that they would rank an applicant more favorably if a mentor known to them endorsed the applicant as outstanding. Approximately 30% responded that applicants who did not communicate with their program were disadvantaged compared with those who did. Approximately 17% stated it was desirable to create additional specialty-specific guidelines regarding postinterview contact between programs and applications. Based on the wide variation in how program directors interpret and act on postinterview communication from applicants, residency programs should formulate and communicate a clear policy about whether they request and how they respond to postinterview communication from applicants and their mentors. This will establish a more level playing field and eliminate potential inequities resulting from inconsistent communication practices.

Keywords: obstetrics and gynecology program directors; postinterview communication; residency match; resident applicants

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Journal Article