How Does Emergency Department Crowding, as Measured by National Emergency Department Overcrowding Scale, Affect Medical Student Test Score and Clerkship Evaluation? (original) (raw)

2013, Annals of Emergency Medicine

Study Objectives: Each year, residency programs dedicate a significant amount of time, effort and financial resources to selecting and interviewing applicants for residency. Despite the importance of an interview day, factors that the applicants find most valuable are poorly identified. Methods: An anonymous Web-based survey was sent to all applicants interviewed during the 2012-2013 cycle at one EM residency program. The survey assessed activities they found most valuable on the interview day. Results: The survey was sent to 211 applicants, with a response rate of 43%. When evaluating the academic merits of a residency program, factors that the applicants found most helpful included program reputation, the ability to attend the weekly morbidity and mortality conference, and the completion of an away rotation. Additionally, when evaluating social activities on an interview day, 81% of respondents felt that the opportunity to have breakfast with the program leadership improved their experience. Fifty-six percent of respondents reported they preferred an applicant dinner at a resident's home. Additionally, dinner at residents' homes received a higher overall rating than dinner at a restaurant. Conclusions: Residency programs place a lot of effort into recruiting the best candidates for their institution. During interview days, programs work to provide the applicants with information on both the educational aspects and wellness aspects of the program. According to our survey, applicants are interested in participating in rigorous academic activities such as morbidity and mortality conference. These activities give insight into resident and faculty interactions within the program and the educational mission of the program. When learning about the more social aspects of the program, applicants prefer more casual settings such as a casual breakfast with the program leadership or dinner at resident's homes. These activities provide a venue for applicants to determine their comfort level and fit within the membership of the residency program.