Dermatology Program Coordinators' Role and Insight in the Resident Selection Process

With the evolution of residency applications and the myriad of roles that program coordinators (PCs) undertake, there is a gap in the medical education literature surrounding PCs' role in the resident selection process.

We sought to quantify the role of Dermatology residency PCs in the resident selection process and the unique perspective they gain from their interactions with applicants.

PC- and program director (PD)-specific surveys were designed and distributed in 2023 via email to Dermatology PDs via the Association of Professors of Dermatology (APD) listserv and to PCs via email using the contact information found on publicly available residency program websites.

Survey responses included 62 PCs (33.9% response rate; sent to 184 PCs) and 35 PDs (unable to ascertain response rate; sent to APD listserv). Of the PC respondents, 25 (40.3%) reported participation in applicant ranking, with six (24%) participating as formal committee members, 14 (56%) contributing informal commentary, and only five (20%) functioning in administrative-only roles. Further, 16 (64%) PCs who participated in applicant ranking reported that their input yielded a change in the candidate ranking order, and a majority agreed that their input was helpful (21, 84%) and valued (21, 84%). All eight (100%) PDs who included their PC in the applicant ranking agreed that the PC input was helpful and valued. Finally, 49 (79.1%) PCs agree that they gain a perspective on candidates, with 36 (58%) feeling that their perspectives are unique from those of faculty members.

Residency PCs have the potential to play a reportedly consequential, helpful, valuable, and unique role in the resident selection process.