Preferences and Practices of U.S. Ophthalmology Residency Program Directors Regarding Post-interview Communication with Residency Applicants

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

Financial Support

None.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. government.

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