1
|
Srinivasan N, Samaan JS, Premkumar A, Rajeev ND, Yeo YH, Samakar K. Perceptions and Expectations Regarding the Step 1 Score Change Among Surgical and Non-Surgical Program Directors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Am Surg 2024; 90:1666-1681. [PMID: 38305212 DOI: 10.1177/00031348241230093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
There are currently no studies examining differences in perceptions and expected impact of the Step 1 score change to pass/fail between surgical and non-surgical program directors (PDs). We conducted a systematic review in May 2023 of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PSYCInfo to evaluate studies examining PDs' perspectives regarding the Step 1 score change. We performed random-effects meta-analyses to determine differences in perspectives among surgical and non-surgical PDs. Surgical PDs (76.8% [95% CI, 72.1%-82.0%], I2 = 52%) reported significantly greater rates of disagreement with the score change compared to non-surgical (65.1% [95% CI, 57.9%-73.1%], I2 = 69.7%) (P = .01). Surgical PDs also reported significantly greater rates of agreement that the score change will increase the difficulty in objectively comparing applicants (88.1% [95% CI, 84.6%-91.7%], I2 = 16.4%), compared to non-surgical (81.0% [95% CI, 75.6%-86.8%], I2 = 72.6%) (P = .04). There was less heterogeneity among non-surgical PDs (88.7% [95% CI, 86.2%-91.2%], I2 = 0%), compared to surgical (84.7% [95% CI, 79.0%-90.8%], I2 = 67.3%), regarding expected increases in emphasis on Step 2, although the difference in rates of agreement was not statistically significant. Overall, there is significant heterogeneity in the literature regarding expected changes in the residency application review process. Most PDs reported significant disagreement with the score change, greater expected difficulty in objectively evaluating applicants, and greater emphasis on Step 2, with surgical PDs reporting greater rates of disagreement, greater expected difficulty, and heterogeneity regarding expected increases in emphasis on Step 2, compared to non-surgical. Additionally, there is significant heterogeneity in the overall literature regarding expected changes in the residency application review process. Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines that improve the overall residency application process for all stakeholders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Srinivasan
- Division of Upper GI and General Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jamil S Samaan
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Agnes Premkumar
- Department of Surgery, Phoenix Health Sciences Campus, Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Nithya D Rajeev
- Division of Upper GI and General Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yee Hui Yeo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kamran Samakar
- Division of Upper GI and General Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ibrahim H, Mohamad MK, Elhag SA, Al-Habbal K, Harhara T, Shehadeh M, Oyoun Alsoud L, Abdel-Razig S. Components of effective letters of recommendation: A cross-sectional survey of academic faculty. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296637. [PMID: 38261586 PMCID: PMC10805295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Conventional merit-based criteria, including standardized test scores and grade point averages, have become less available to residency programs to help distinguish applicants, making other components of the application, including letters of recommendation (LORs), important surrogate markers for performance. Despite their impact on applications, there is limited published data on LORs in the international setting. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of academic faculty was conducted between 9 January 2023 and 12 March 2023 at two large academic medical centers in the United Arab Emirates. Descriptive statistics were used to tabulate variable frequencies. RESULTS Of the 98 respondents, the majority were male (n = 67; 68.4%), Western-trained (n = 66; 67.3%), mid-career physicians (n = 46; 46.9%). Most respondents (n = 77; 78.6%) believed that the purpose of an LOR was to help an applicant match into their desired program. Letters rarely included important skills, such as leadership (n = 37; 37.8%), applicant involvement in research (n = 43; 43.9%), education (n = 38; 38.8%), or patient advocacy (n = 30; 30.6%). Most faculty (n = 81; 82.7%) were not familiar with standardized letters of recommendation. Only 7.3% (n = 7) of respondents previously received training in writing LORs, but 87.7% (n = 86) expressed an interest in this professional development opportunity. CONCLUSION There is variability in perceptions and practices related to LOR writing in our international setting, with several areas for improvement. Given the increasing importance of LORs to a candidate's application, faculty development is necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Halah Ibrahim
- Department of Medical Science, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamad Kasem Mohamad
- Department of Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahad Abasaeed Elhag
- Department of Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khairat Al-Habbal
- Department of Medical Science, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Thana Harhara
- Department of Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Shehadeh
- Department of Medical Science, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Leen Oyoun Alsoud
- Department of Medical Science, Khalifa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sawsan Abdel-Razig
- Department of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moran CJ, Dzara K, Frey-Vogel AS, Flaherty M, Hall D, Nelson BA, Sparger K, Stanley T, Yager P, Scott-Vernaglia S. Confidence of Faculty in Writing Letters of Recommendation for Pediatric Fellowship Applicants. Cureus 2023; 15:e49750. [PMID: 38161882 PMCID: PMC10757671 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The assessment of pediatric residents applying to subspecialty fellowship programs relies on faculty letters of recommendation (LOR). However, it is unclear if pediatric faculty are confident that their LOR are effective. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the confidence of pediatric faculty in writing an effective LOR for pediatric residents applying to subspecialty fellowship programs. METHODS Survey development was conducted using evidence-based best practices. Surveys were distributed via email in 2021 to all full-time pediatric faculty members who taught pediatric residents in a large academic medical center. Categorical values were compared by chi-square test. RESULTS Eighty-five out of 150 (57%) faculty members completed the survey. Forty-one percent of participants were very confident that their LOR provided adequate content to assess residents during the application process. Confidence was associated with higher academic rank (p=0.02), frequent contact with residents (p=0.01), and writing >2 LOR in the last five years (p=0.0002). Confident LOR writers were more likely to describe their own background, details about the resident's scholarly activity, and the resident's ability to work as part of a team. Thirty-five percent of respondents reported never considering gender bias when writing LOR, whereas 28% reported always considering gender bias. Eighty-seven percent of respondents reported an interest in receiving LOR writing guidelines. CONCLUSION Half of the faculty respondents were not very confident in their ability to write an effective LOR for pediatric residents applying for a fellowship. Faculty development and standardized instructions on writing effective LOR may be helpful both at the institutional and national levels, including the importance of considering gender bias when writing LOR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Moran
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Kristina Dzara
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
- Center for Educator Development, Advancement, and Research, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, USA
| | - Ariel S Frey-Vogel
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
| | - Michael Flaherty
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Daniel Hall
- Division of General Pediatrics, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Benjamin A Nelson
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Katherine Sparger
- Division of Neonatology, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Takara Stanley
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Phoebe Yager
- Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Shannon Scott-Vernaglia
- Division of General Pediatrics, Mass General for Children, Boston, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ferrer Valencia V, Pulido Cadavid LF, Torres Cortes DF, Forero Lozano PA. The Biased Triad: Is the Radiology Residency Application Fair for all? Acad Radiol 2023; 30:1229. [PMID: 36669996 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Ferrer Valencia
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, 116 St # 9-02, Bogotá, Colombia (V.F.V., L.F.P.C., D.F.T.V., P.A.F.L.).
| | - Luis Fernando Pulido Cadavid
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, 116 St # 9-02, Bogotá, Colombia (V.F.V., L.F.P.C., D.F.T.V., P.A.F.L.)
| | - David Fernando Torres Cortes
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, 116 St # 9-02, Bogotá, Colombia (V.F.V., L.F.P.C., D.F.T.V., P.A.F.L.)
| | - Paula Andrea Forero Lozano
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, 116 St # 9-02, Bogotá, Colombia (V.F.V., L.F.P.C., D.F.T.V., P.A.F.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Preserve That Narrative! Supporting and Differentiating Applicants in an Increasingly Distanced and Stressful World. Acad Radiol 2022; 29:1455-1457. [PMID: 35965157 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|