Applicant Experience in Communication With Residency Programs After the Introduction of Program Signaling

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Residency Admissions
• Applicant Experience

Background:

• Residency program signaling was introduced to streamline the obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) application process.
• Understanding the impact of signaling on applicant experience is crucial for evaluating its effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the applicant experience in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residency following the implementation of program signaling for the 2023 application cycle.
• To compare applicant experiences in 2023 with those from 2022, before widespread signaling adoption.

Main Methods:

• Online surveys were administered to OBGYN residency applicants in 2022 and 2023.
• Data collected included demographics, application numbers, interview invitations, and communication patterns.
• Statistical analyses included ANOVA, χ2, and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare groups.

Main Results:

• Signaling led to a broader distribution of interviews among applicants, though the total number of applications and interviews per applicant remained stable.
• Applicants in 2023 reported decreased pre-interview communication and fewer away rotations compared to 2022.
• Differences in communication and interview invitations persisted based on racial, ethnic, and medical school background, with underrepresented minorities and international medical graduates (IMGs) facing disparities.

Conclusions:

• The introduction of program signaling in OBGYN residency applications decreased pre-interview communication but resulted in a wider spread of interviews.
• Further standardization of program communication is recommended to promote a more equitable application landscape for all prospective residents.