Factors Important to Under-Represented Minority Applicants when Selecting an Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Factors Important to Under-Represented Minority Applicants when Selecting an

Emergency Medicine Residency Program

Boatright D, Simon J, Jarou Z, Tunson J, Flores S, Heron S, Gisondi M, Druck JDenver Health/University of Colorado, Emory, Highland, Northwestern

Factors Important to Under-Represented Minority Applicants when Selecting an Emergency Medicine Residency Program


De-identified responses were collected via a web-based survey sent to a convenience sample of self-identified URM students and their non-URM peers who applied to four different EM residency programs in 2014.

Comparison of USMLE scores, number of programs applied to, number of interviews received, home EM program by URM status

Assessment of perceived importance of 21 program factors applicants consider when selecting a residency by URM status

In 2008, the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) assembled a panel of program directors (PDs), associate PDs, and emergency medicine (EM) faculty members to discuss the state of diversity in EM andto develop a set of “best practice” recruitment strategies designed to increase the number under-represented minorities (URMs) in EM residency training programs.

BACKGROUND METHODS

Sheryl L. Heron, MD, MPH, Elise O. Lovell, MD, Ernest Wang, MD, and Steven H. Bowman, MD. “Promoting Diversity in Emergency Medicine: Summary Recommendations from the 2008 Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) Academic Assembly Diversity Workgroup.”

To evaluate the perceived importance of factors significant in influencing URM candidate residency program selection.

OBJECTIVE



METHODS

MEDIAN USMLE SCORES (IQR)DEMOGRAPHICS

Overall: Average age 28 years old. 54% Male.

135 self-identified non-URM applicants

91% White

17% Asian

4% LGBTQ

101 self-identified URM applicants

49% Black or African American

47% Hispanic or Latino

22% White

7% American Indian or Alaskan Native

3% Asian

7% LGBTQ

Non-URM URM

Step 1* 238 (227-248) 226.5 (212-240)

Step 2* 249 (239-259) 240 (225-250)

2014 Mean Scores for Matched US Seniors: Step 1 (230), Step 2 (243)

MEDIAN APPLICATION DATA (IQR)

Non-URM URM

Applications 35 (30-45) 39 (30-50)

Interviews* 20 (13-26) 15 (6-23)

HOME RESIDENCY PROGRAM (95% CI)

Non-URM URM

Yes* 81% (73-87%) 66% (56-75%)



FOURTEEN PROGRAM FACTORS OF SIMILAR IMPORTANCE



SEVEN PROGRAM FACTORS MORE IMPORTANT TO URM APPLICANTS



METHODSURM and non-URM applicants applied to

the same number of programs but URMs received fewer interviews. It is unclear if this is related to lower USMLE scores or lack of quality advising information related to not having a home EM residency program.

Regardless of URM status, the most important factors in choosing a residency program were: interaction with the residents the interview day experience geographic location program reputation serving a diverse patient population

CONCLUSIONS

Program factors more important to URM applicants include:

diversity of residents and faculty program affirming a commitment to

diversity including a website statement serving patients of a similar background residency involvement with community

outreach programs and pipeline programsLimitations While this study showed a difference

between URM and non-URM USMLE scores at these 4 competitive programs, this may not reflect national trends

Applicants may have reported interviews attended rather than invites received



METHODSURM and non-URM applicants applied to

the same number of programs but URMs received fewer interviews. It is unclear if this is related to lower USMLE scores or lack of quality advising information related to not having a home EM residency program.

Regardless of URM status, the most important factors in choosing a residency program were: interaction with the residents the interview day experience geographic location program reputation serving a diverse patient population

CONCLUSIONS

Program factors more important to URM applicants include:

diversity of residents and faculty program affirming a commitment to

diversity including a website statement serving patients of a similar background residency involvement with community

outreach programs and pipeline programsLimitations While this study showed a difference

between URM and non-URM USMLE scores at these 4 competitive programs, this may not reflect national trends

Applicants may have reported interviews attended rather than invites received

Health & Medicine

Factors Important to Under-Represented Minority Applicants when Selecting an Emergency Medicine Residency Program