Factors Influencing Residency Choice of General Surgery Applicants—How Important Is the Availability of a Skills Curriculum?

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the factors that impact residency choice by general surgery applicants and the importance of the availability of skill curricula.

Methods

Fourth-year medical students (n = 104) interviewing for a general surgery position in an academic medical center voluntarily completed an anonymous survey detailing questions about the factors that influenced their choice of a residency program. Applicants were asked to rank in order of importance 14 factors potentially influencing their decision making and to address specifically the value of skills training. Data are reported as medians (range).

Results

The applicants' median age was 26 (range, 24-35) years; 44% were women, and the prior simulator exposure was 1 (range, 0-90) hour. The factors influencing the choice of residency in order of importance were the quality of life of current residents, the volume and variety of cases, and the quality of the curriculum (medians, 3-4), followed by the reputation of the institution and the program director, the location, and mentor advice (medians, 6-8); and the presence of expertise in areas of interest, the availability of a skills curriculum, the academic versus private designation, the efficiency of the hospital, and the size of residency (medians, 9-10). Women were more likely than men to rank lifestyle higher. Applicants' decision making was influenced positively in 92% by the presence of an organized skills curriculum.

Conclusions

The main determinants of the applicants' choice of a general surgery program are the quality of life of the residents and the anticipated clinical experience and curriculum quality. The availability of organized skills curricula is low in the applicant priorities, but it does influence their decision-making process. These findings may help program directors to optimize their residency curriculum and interviewing process.