Navigating the Mohs Fellowship Match: What Applicants Value in Programs and Their Perceptions Regarding Fellowship...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Surgical Oncology
• Medical Education

Background:

• The Micrographic Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology (MSDO) fellowship match presents challenges due to limited applicant information on programs.
• Fellowship directors have standardized applicant data, but applicants lack comparable program insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how MSDO fellowship applicants gather information about programs.
• To identify program characteristics influencing applicant rank list decisions.

Main Methods:

• A web-based survey was distributed to MSDO fellowship applicants for the 2025-2026 cycle.
• The survey assessed information sources, influential program characteristics, and perceived director priorities.
• Data collection continued until 20% of the national applicant pool responded.

Main Results:

• Responses from 39 applicants (26% of the national pool) were analyzed.
• Primary information sources included interviews (84.6%), program websites (82.0%), and mentors (71.8%).
• Key program characteristics influencing rankings were clinical autonomy, complex case volume, and prior fellow satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing match outcomes requires fellowship directors to offer standardized information.
• Program websites, structured interviews, and details on clinical training are crucial.
• Information on case complexity and fellow autonomy significantly impacts applicant decisions.