Factors important in laryngology fellow and laryngology fellowship selection

To determine factors that laryngology fellowship directors believe are most important in choosing a fellow and that laryngology applicants believe are most important in choosing a program. The number of laryngology fellowship programs and the number of laryngology fellowship applicants have been increasing in recent years. Selection criteria in choosing a fellow or fellowship program have not been studied.

Survey study using anonymous online questionnaires of laryngology fellowship directors and recent laryngology fellowship applicants. Directors were asked to rate qualities for judging the strength of a fellowship applicant. Applicants were assessed for the importance of various factors in choosing a fellowship.

Sixteen of 27 fellowship directors (59%) and 33 of 53 fellowship applicants (62%) contacted responded to the survey. Program directors listed interview performance, letters of recommendation, and personal knowledge of applicant as the most important factors. Gender or ethnicity, previous research in laryngology, and likelihood that the applicant will rank the director's program highly were ranked as least important factors. Applicants ranked personal rapport with fellowship mentor(s), large experience in endoscopic surgeries, and reputation of mentor(s) as most important, whereas call schedule, salary, and having more than one fellow per year were ranked as least important factors.

Interview performance, trusted colleague's recommendation, and personal knowledge were ranked as the most important factors in fellow selection. These criteria are consistent with previous research on otolaryngology residency and pediatric otolaryngology fellow selection. When selecting a fellowship, laryngology fellowship applicants choose based on personal rapport with mentor, opportunity to learn endoscopic surgeries, and mentor reputation.

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