Jeong Mi Park
Gwangju Veterans Hospital, South Korea.
Title: Responses from a Supplemental Question used in Otolaryngology Residency Applications
Biography
Biography: Jeong Mi Park
Abstract
Objective: 1) To categorize and analyze applicant responses to a supplemental question used during the applicant selection process. 2) To assess the incidence of leadership training as an element in applicant response over three match cycles
Study Design: Qualitative retrospective review of applicant responses to a supplemental question during the 2012, 2013, and 2014 match cycles. Setting: Academic otolaryngology residency training program.
Subjects and Methods: Responses to a supplemental question were analyzed and specific elements were categorized. Frequency of each reason was assessed by match cycle and gender. Chi square test was performed on proportion of responses containing leadership related elements by year and gender. Statistical significance was defined as p-value <0.05.
Results: Of the 592 responses that were analyzed, 394 were males and 194 were females. 3 applicants' gender could not be identified with available ERAS data. The most often cited reasons for applying were research opportunities (69%), education and training (57%), leadership program (48%), comprehensiveness of subspecialties (36%), reputation (25%), and location (17%). There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of leadership program in each of the three years (p≤0.01).
Conclusions: We describe the use of a supplemental application question during the residency match cycle designed to help select applicants for interview that would best “fit” with our program focused on leadership. We hope this will stimulate consideration of how to improve the “fit” of applicants to otolaryngology residency programs.