Attributes of Successful and Unsuccessful Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Applicants

• Published in: Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 65 - 69
• Main Authors: Muffly, Tyler M, Penick, Emily R, Tang, Fengming, Smith, Roger P, Hill, Richard F.C, Blandon, Roberta E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-01-2010
• ISSN: 2151-8378; 2154-4212
• DOI: 10.1097/SPV.0b013e3181ce5f79

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate qualifications of successful applicants to Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowship programs.
METHODS:A 55-point web-based survey was sent to 49 applicants participating in the 2008 FPMRS Match.
RESULTS:The survey achieved a 59% response rate, with a total of 29 respondents. Regarding prematch educational preparations pursued by applicants, 11 of the 24 matched respondents (46%) trained at residencies that offered FPMRS fellowship training. About 19 matched applicants (19/21, 90%) and 2 unmatched applicants (2/5, 40%) received a letter of recommendation from a “nationally-known” female pelvic medicine surgeon. About 40% of matched and unmatched applicants authored at least one manuscript.
CONCLUSIONS:If these respondents are representative of all fellowship candidates in FPMRS match, then it would be expected that combined application costs for all candidates would be almost $350,000.