Abstract
Importance Little is known about the perspectives and practices of U.S. ophthalmology residency
program directors (PDs) regarding communication between PDs and applicants during
the post-interview residency match period.
Objective To investigate the preferences and practices of ophthalmology residency PDs regarding
post-interview communication between PDs and residency applicants during the residency
match period.
Design and Setting Web-based anonymous survey.
Participants Directors of ophthalmology residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education.
Results The response rate was 64% (74/116). The majority (75%; 55/73) of PDs preferred that
PDs and residency applicants not communicate during the post-interview period; the
main reasons were that such communication was not ethical and not productive. In addition,
62% (46/74) of PDs believed that the Ophthalmology Matching Program should institute
a policy of no post-interview communication between applicants and faculty during
the residency match period.
Conclusion and Relevance The majority of U.S. ophthalmology residency PDs favor instituting a policy of no
post-interview communication between applicants and faculty during the residency match
period.
Keywords
residents - graduate medical education - interview - program director
