Improving selection procedures in health professions education from the applicant perspective: an interview study

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Medical School Admissions
• Selection Procedures

Background:

• Applicant perceptions of selection influence motivation and performance.
• Understanding applicant values is crucial for aligning selection with perceptions.
• Current selection procedures in health professions education (HPE) lack in-depth insight into applicant values.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify values applicants believe should underpin selection processes in HPE.
• To explore how applicants suggest these values can improve selection procedures.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interview study with 31 applicants to undergraduate HPE programs in the Netherlands.
• Semi-structured interviews guided by Appreciative Inquiry.
• Thematic analysis of interview transcriptions using a constructivist approach.

Main Results:

• Applicants emphasized values related to selection aims (fit, diversity), content (relevance, comprehensiveness, quality, self-expression, developmental appropriateness), and treatment (two-way process, transparency, well-being, equality, equity).
• Specific improvement suggestions were provided for each identified value.
• Applicant values offer insights into preconditions for designing effective selection procedures.

Conclusions:

• Applicant values provide novel insights for designing selection procedures in HPE.
• Suggested improvements can assist selection committees in meeting applicant needs more effectively.
• Aligning selection with applicant values can potentially enhance motivation, performance, and diversity in HPE programs.