The Carbon Footprint of Residency Interview Travel

Over the last decade, medical student residency applicants have shown a substantial increase in the number of interviews attended, which is associated with a significant increase in travel. The carbon footprint associated with residency interviews has not been well documented prior to this investigation, and is a critical issue related to climate health.

The purpose of this study is to document the carbon footprint associated with travel to residency interviews of the applicants from a single institution.

Graduating medical students from the University of Michigan Medical School were surveyed in 2020 to gather information regarding travel related to residency interviews. A validated carbon emissions calculator was used to determine the associated carbon footprint.

Response rate was 103 of 174 (59%). Average interviews per student across all specialties was 14.39 interviews per student. The overall class average for total carbon footprint per student was calculated as 3.07 metric tons CO₂, making the class average carbon footprint per interview 0.21 metric tons CO₂. If we extrapolate the results of our study to all residents, the resulting CO₂ emissions approach 51 665 metric tons CO₂ per year, which is equivalent to the amount of CO₂ produced by 11 162 passenger cars in 1 year.

Medical education leaders could help reduce the carbon footprint by encouraging a reduction in number of in-person interviews attended by applicants.