The departmental advisor's effect on medical students' confidence when the advisor evaluates or recruits for their...

Departmental advisors who also serve on residency selection committees at their institutions have a dual role as advisor and evaluator of residency applicants.

This study explores this dual role and its effect on medical students' confidence in the advising relationship.

A secure, anonymous questionnaire was made available online to 1,362 graduating medical students from ten U.S. medical schools who participated in the 2001 match.

Of the 740 respondents (54.3% response rate), 349 (47.2%) met with a departmental advisor at their medical school. Most (212 or 60.7%) had departmental advisors who also served on a residency selection committee. These applicants reported feeling significantly less comfortable with their advisors and were significantly more likely to make misleading statements during the match.

Applicants whose departmental advisors serve on a residency selection committee have less confidence in the advising relationship. These interactions may have adverse effects on the clinical and professional development of medical students.