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Recruitment behavior and program directors: how ethical are their perspectives about the match process?
P J Carek1, K D Anderson, A V Blue
1Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, USA. carekpj@musc.edu
Family Medicine
|April 27, 2000
Summary
Family practice residency directors often found the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) process led to dishonesty, with many applicants and directors not adhering to NRMP policies. This study highlights ethical concerns in residency recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Residency Training
- Graduate Medical Education
Background:
- The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a centralized system for matching applicants to residency programs.
- Understanding program directors' perspectives is crucial for improving the NRMP process and recruitment behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine family practice residency directors' views on the 1999 NRMP process.
- To identify directors' expectations regarding student recruitment behaviors during the matching process.
Main Methods:
- A written questionnaire was distributed to family practice residency program directors.
- The survey assessed perceptions of applicant interviewing, communication, commitments, ethical dilemmas, and the NRMP process.
Main Results:
- Most directors (83%) perceived interviewing in multiple specialties negatively impacting an applicant's rank order.
- Nearly all directors (95%) engaged in follow-up communication with applicants post-interview.
- A majority (94%) felt the NRMP process compelled dishonesty to secure top choices.
Conclusions:
- Program directors' and applicants' actions may contradict NRMP policies.
- The study suggests a discrepancy between stated NRMP rules and actual practices in residency recruitment.