Senior medical student opinions regarding the ideal urology interview day. J Surg Educ 2014;71(6):878-82
Date
07/02/2014Pubmed ID
24981655DOI
10.1016/j.jsurg.2014.05.009Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84920189952 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 11 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Applicant interviews for urology residency positions are a stressful and costly process for students, faculty, and staff. We conducted a prospective survey to better determine what urology applicants perceive as an ideal interview process to gain sufficient knowledge about a training program.
METHODS: A questionnaire was anonymously completed by all urology residency applicants interviewing at the Medical College of Wisconsin from 2007 to 2013. Questionnaire subject headings included "ideal interview format," "factors contributing to understanding the residency program," and "factors contributing to final rank list order."
RESULTS: Questionnaires were distributed to and completed by 221 senior medical students applying for a urology residency position. Most respondents (>80%) reported they would prefer to partake in 5 to 7 faculty interviews in an office setting with the total interview process spanning half to three-fourths of the workday. Spending time with current residents was considered the most valuable tool to acquire knowledge about a residency program. The most important criteria when ranking a program were resident satisfaction, resident operative experience, and perceived strength of faculty.
CONCLUSIONS: Academic urology programs may wish to consider applicant ideals when organizing residency interviews. Interaction with current residents appears to be the most valuable resource allowing applicants to garner knowledge about a urology training program.
Author List
Jacobs JC, Guralnick ML, Sandlow JI, Langenstroer P, Begun FP, See WA, O'Connor RCAuthors
Michael Guralnick MD Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinPeter Langenstroer MD Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Robert Corey O'Connor MD Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Jay I. Sandlow MD Chair, Professor in the Urologic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
HumansInternship and Residency
Interviews as Topic
School Admission Criteria
Students, Medical
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
Urology
