Applicant perceptions of selection methods for health professions education: Rationales and subgroup differences

Area of Science:

• Health professions education
• Higher education admissions
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Applicant perceptions of selection methods impact motivation and withdrawal.
• Understanding subgroup differences in these perceptions is crucial for widening access.
• Organizational justice theory provides a framework for analyzing these perceptions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine applicant perceptions of various selection methods in health professions programs.
• To investigate the rationales behind these perceptions.
• To identify subgroup differences in how applicants perceive selection methods.

Main Methods:

• A multi-site online survey of 704 applicants to Dutch undergraduate health professions programs.
• Utilized questionnaires assessing favorability and justice dimensions of 11 selection methods.
• Included demographic data and qualitative comments for content analysis.

Main Results:

• Applicants favored methods where they felt more in control, such as curriculum-sampling and skills tests.
• Lottery-based selection methods were perceived least favorably.
• Qualitative analysis revealed conflicting preferences, like desiring multiple methods versus concerns about stress.

Conclusions:

• Applicants seek to demonstrate diverse attributes using a combination of selection tools.
• Selection method perceptions can influence equitable admission, necessitating careful justification and adaptation.
• Findings can guide program decisions on selection method inclusion and justification.