Misrepresentation of publications by radiology residency applicants

The authors' purpose was to determine the extent of misrepresentation of research publications by radiology resident applicants.

The authors reviewed 379 consecutive applications, including curricula vitae, for a radiology residency program in 1996. All reported publications and "in-press" articles were checked by means of a MEDLINE search.

Of the 379 applicants, 108 were from medical schools in the United States, and 271 were from international medical schools. Seventy-three applicants listed articles published or in press on their applications (24 U.S., 49 international applicants). Of 286 separate citations in the applications, 105 were found with the MEDLINE search, and 181 were not found. Of the latter, 168 cited journals were not indexed in MEDLINE or the applicants did not include sufficient information to verify their existence. Thirteen citations (from eight applicants; three U.S., five international) were not found even though they cited journals indexed by MEDLINE.

Of all applicants reporting publications, 11% likely misrepresented them on their applications. A large percentage of citations, however, could not be verified because of insufficient information in the citation or claimed publication in a journal not available on MEDLINE. Radiology residency program directors should be aware of this uncommon, but important, problem.