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Mehkri Y, Pierzchajlo N, Kemeness C, Hey G, Sharaf R, Reddy A, Neil ZD, Sayed F, Gendreau J, Lucke-Wold B. A cost analysis of medical students applying to neurological surgery residency: An analysis of the Texas STAR database. J Clin Neurosci 2023; 117:151-155. [PMID: 37816269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.09.031] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medical Students applying to neurosurgery residency programs incur substantial costs associated with interviews, away rotations, and application fees. However, few studies have compared expenses prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluates the financial impact of COVID-19 on the neurosurgery residency application and identifies strategies that may alleviate the financial burden of prospective neurosurgery residents. METHODS The TEXAS STAR database was surveyed for applicants of neurosurgical residency programs during the COVID-19 pandemic (2021) and post-pandemic (2022). 66 applicants for the 2021 application cycle and 50 applicants for the 2022 application cycle completed the survey. We compared application fees, away rotations cost, interview cost, and total expenses as reported by the neurosurgery applicants of the 2021 and 2022 application cycle. A Shapiro-Wilk test was used to test for data normality, and a Mann-Whitney U-Test was used to compare costs during the 2021 and 2022 neurosurgery application cycle. RESULTS There was a statistically significant reduction in total expenses in 2021 vs 2022 ($3,934 vs $9,860). Interview and away rotation expenses decreased in 2021 vs 2022 (interview expenses $786 vs $4511, away rotation $1,083 vs $3,000, p < 0.001). Application fee expenses were not different between 2021 and 2022. The greatest reduction in application cost ($11,908) was seen in the South for 2021. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced total fees associated with the neurosurgical residency application. Virtual platforms in place of in-person interviews could lessen the financial burden on applicants and alleviate socioeconomic barriers in the neurosurgical application process after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Mehkri
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | | | | | - Grace Hey
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ramy Sharaf
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Akshay Reddy
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Fudhial Sayed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Julian Gendreau
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brandon Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
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Wyant WA, Fabbro SK, Kaffenberger J, Grant-Kels JM, Korman AM. The ethics of advising dermatology residency applicants in an era of holistic review. Int J Dermatol 2023; 62:e519-e520. [PMID: 37203880 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- W Austin Wyant
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Stephanie K Fabbro
- Division of Dermatology, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Jane M Grant-Kels
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Abraham M Korman
- Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Daniel M, Gottlieb M, Wooten D, Stojan J, Haas MRC, Bailey J, Evans S, Lee D, Goldberg C, Fernandez J, Jassal SK, Rudolf F, Guluma K, Lander L, Pott E, Goldhaber NH, Thammasitboon S, Uraiby H, Grafton-Clarke C, Gordon M, Pawlikowska T, Corral J, Partha I, Kolman KB, Westrick J, Dolmans D. Virtual interviewing for graduate medical education recruitment and selection: A BEME systematic review: BEME Guide No. 80. MEDICAL TEACHER 2022; 44:1313-1331. [PMID: 36369939 DOI: 10.1080/0142159x.2022.2130038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused graduate medical education (GME) programs to pivot to virtual interviews (VIs) for recruitment and selection. This systematic review synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence base on VIs, providing insights into preferred formats, strengths, and weaknesses. METHODS PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, ERIC, PsycINFO, MedEdPublish, and Google Scholar were searched from 1 January 2012 to 21 February 2022. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts, full texts, performed data extraction, and assessed risk of bias using the Medical Education Research Quality Instrument. Findings were reported according to Best Evidence in Medical Education guidance. RESULTS One hundred ten studies were included. The majority (97%) were from North America. Fourteen were conducted before COVID-19 and 96 during the pandemic. Studies involved both medical students applying to residencies (61%) and residents applying to fellowships (39%). Surgical specialties were more represented than other specialties. Applicants preferred VI days that lasted 4-6 h, with three to five individual interviews (15-20 min each), with virtual tours and opportunities to connect with current faculty and trainees. Satisfaction with VIs was high, though both applicants and programs found VIs inferior to in-person interviews for assessing 'fit.' Confidence in ranking applicants and programs was decreased. Stakeholders universally noted significant cost and time savings with VIs, as well as equity gains and reduced carbon footprint due to eliminating travel. CONCLUSIONS The use of VIs for GME recruitment and selection has accelerated rapidly. The findings of this review offer early insights that can guide future practice, policy, and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Daniel
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Darcy Wooten
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Mary R C Haas
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jacob Bailey
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sean Evans
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Daniel Lee
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Charles Goldberg
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jorge Fernandez
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Simerjot K Jassal
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- VA San Diego Healthcare, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Frances Rudolf
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kama Guluma
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lina Lander
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Emily Pott
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nicole H Goldhaber
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Hussain Uraiby
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | | | - Morris Gordon
- Biomedical Evidence Synthesis and Translation to Practice (BEST) Unit, School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Teresa Pawlikowska
- Health Professions Education Centre (HPEC), RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, IE
| | - Janet Corral
- University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Indu Partha
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tuscon, AZ, USA
| | - Karyn B Kolman
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tuscon, AZ, USA
| | | | - Diana Dolmans
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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