The Importance of Basic Science and Clinical Research as a Selection Criterion for General Surgery Residency Programs

• Published in: Journal of surgical education Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 151 - 154
• Main Authors: Melendez, Mark M., MD, Xu, Xiaoti, BS, Sexton, Thomas R., PhD, Shapiro, Marc J., MD, Mohan, Eugene P., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-03-2008
• Subjects: basic science research; Biological Science Disciplines; Biomedical Research; Clinical Competence; clinical research; Data Collection; Education, Medical, Graduate; Educational Measurement; General Surgery - education; Humans; Internship and Residency; Medical Knowledge; Personnel Selection - methods; Practice Based Learning and Improvement; program directors; Pyrrolidinones; Surgery; surgical programs; surgical residency; surgical resident selection; Systems Based Practice; surgical programs; clinical research; basic science research; Medical Knowledge; Systems Based Practice; program directors; surgical residency; surgical resident selection; Practice Based Learning and Improvement
• ISSN: 1931-7204; 1878-7452
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2007.08.009

Objective The selection criteria for surgical residents applying for residency differ among programs nationwide. Factors influencing this selection process have not been well defined, and research in particular has not been evaluated fully. This study aimed to evaluate the relative importance of basic science and clinical research in the selection criteria used by program directors (PDs). Design A web-based survey consisting of 11 questions was sent to PDs using the list server of the Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Respondents were asked to rank selection factors using a 1-to-5 scoring system, with 5 as most important. Their responses were recorded and tabulated. Setting University-based teaching hospital. Participants The survey went to 251 accredited general surgery residency programs in the United States. Results Overall, 134 (53.3%) of the surveys were returned, representing 61 university-based programs, 57 community-based programs with university affiliation, and 16 community-based programs without university affiliation. In total, 120 PDs (89.5%) considered basic or clinical research almost always or all the time when evaluating applicants to their general surgery program. Another 73 PDs (54.5%) gave basic science and clinical research equal importance. Another 40 PDs (29.9%) rarely or never credited research unless it had been published as an abstract or paper. In ranking research, 11 (8.2%) respondents gave it the 5 score. Most respondents (n = 93; 69.4%) gave it the 3 score. An applicant's interview and interest in surgery were the factors considered most important by 93 (69.4%) and 78 (58.2%), respectively, of the PDs. Conclusions Basic science and clinical research constituted an important but secondary criterion for resident selection by PDs into general surgery residency programs. PDs perceived the primary factors for residency selection to be the interview, demonstrated interest in surgery, AOA membership, letters of recommendation, and USMLE Step I scores.