Faculty Collaboration Database

Optimizing the fellowship interview process: Perspectives from applicants and program directors of the comprehensive endocrine surgery fellowship program. Surgery 2021 Mar;169(3):488-495

Date

08/29/2020

Pubmed ID

32854969

DOI

10.1016/j.surg.2020.06.037

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85089828291 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   6 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Approximately 80% of general surgery residents undertake some form of fellowship training. Our objective was to characterize goals and burdens of the interview process among applicants to Comprehensive Endocrine Surgery Fellowship programs.

METHODS: Participants included trainees from 2013 to 2019. Results for ranking questions are presented as a mean rank reported out of the total number of selections.

RESULTS: Response rate was 54% (n = 75). The most important goal for interviews was meeting the faculty (mean rank 2.4/9), followed by "behind the scenes information" and "make a good impression" (mean rank 3.6 and 3.7, respectively). The most substantial burden for the applicant was expense (mean rank 2.1/7), followed by time away from residency (mean rank 3.1/7). The economic burden of 51% of the applicants was $2,500 to $7,500. Geographic location and expense were the top 2 reasons applicants declined offers of interviews. Despite the process, 76% of respondents indicated that no improvements to the interview process are necessary. Alternative strategies such as videoconferencing or centralized interviews received little support (<10%).

CONCLUSION: Despite identifying several burdens, survey respondents believed that in-person interviews are an integral component of the fellowship application process. Indeed, 70% of applicants do not have a first-choice program before interviews, and meeting the faculty is ranked as the greatest priority goal. Our data illustrate the importance of individual specialties evaluating and optimizing their own processes for fellowship interviews.

Author List

Drake FT, Lyden ML, Kuo JH, Shen WT, Morris-Wiseman LF, Carty SE, Wang TS

Author

Tracy S. Wang MD, MPH Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Education, Medical, Graduate
Endocrine Surgical Procedures
Fellowships and Scholarships
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Personnel Selection
Surveys and Questionnaires