Resident-Applicant Buddy Program Increases Applicant Interest and Program Transparency

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Residency Recruitment
• Graduate Medical Education

Background:

• Resident-Applicant Buddy Programs (RABPs) are emerging strategies to enhance resident recruitment.
• Evaluating the impact and perceived value of RABPs is crucial for optimizing future recruitment cycles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of RABPs in improving resident recruitment.
• To determine the perceived value of RABPs from both applicant and resident perspectives.
• To identify areas for enhancement in future RABP implementations.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey utilizing a mixed-methods approach was administered to RABP participants.
• The survey included demographic questions, Likert scale responses, and open-ended qualitative questions.
• Qualitative data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis with iterative coding by two independent raters.

Main Results:

• Applicants reported decreased interview stress (70%) and improved understanding of resident life (91%).
• A majority of applicants (65%) indicated an increased desire to match into the program.
• Residents reported high satisfaction (89%) and universal support (100%) for continuing the program.

Conclusions:

• RABPs demonstrably reduce applicant stress and improve insights into residency life, thereby increasing program interest.
• High resident engagement and satisfaction suggest the program's value and sustainability.
• RABPs enhance program transparency and applicant engagement, proving beneficial for recruitment.