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Post-match disorder: how to cope when your program fails to match
A Zamudio1, C Feifer, P W Pennock
1University of Southern California-California Hospital Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program, Los Angeles, USA.
Family Medicine
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Programs failing to match in the National Resident Matching Program can experience Post-Match Disorder (PMD). Applicant feedback revealed positive program perceptions, aiding recovery and successful future recruitment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Graduate Medical Education
- Resident Recruitment
Background:
- Failure to match in the National Resident Matching Program can lead to Post-Match Disorder (PMD).
- PMD symptoms include shock, anger, and depression, impacting program function.
- This study details one program's experience with unexpected non-match and subsequent PMD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development and impact of Post-Match Disorder (PMD) in a medical residency program.
- To explore strategies for mitigating PMD symptoms and facilitating program recovery.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to applicants who were not matched with the program.
- Qualitative and quantitative data analysis of applicant survey responses.
Main Results:
- Applicants perceived the program favorably, ranking it highly.
- Despite positive perceptions, the program did not achieve a match.
Conclusions:
- Positive applicant perceptions of the program helped alleviate PMD symptoms.
- This awareness enabled the program to refocus on resident recruitment, leading to a successful match the following year.