DOI
10.25884/34h6-6c57
Document Type
Original Research
Subcategory
Graduate Medical Education
Abstract
Introduction: Residency program mergers are a topic of much consternation and relatively little scholarly investigation in graduate medical education. After undergoing a residency merger in July 2020, the newly formed Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) Family Medicine Residency Program investigated the effects of the merger on the perspectives of the applicant pool for the subsequent 2020–2021 recruiting season. Methods: We conducted an anonymous survey of EVMS Family Medicine applicants during the 2020– 2021 recruiting season. Students who interviewed with the residency and were subsequently placed on the program’s National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) rank order list (ROL) but did not match with the program were invited to participate. Statistical analysis on the survey responses analyzed the role of the residency merger on the respondents’ evaluation of the program. The purposes of this study were to: 1) assess the effect of a newly completed residency merger on applicants’ perceptions of the program; 2) assess the strategy of openness and transparency with respect to discussing the merger with residency applicants; and 3) assess the applicants’ response to high-focus components of the postmerger residency program. Results: The survey response rate was 47.3% (61/129), and responses indicated mixed opinions on major components of the program following the merger. Applicants indicated that the merged program was superior to the previous individual programs and that the discussion of the merger was an important, positive factor. Responses also indicated an older residency merger (ie, one that took place 2 or more years earlier) would be preferred over a more recently completed process. Discussion: Residency program mergers have the potential to enhance the newly formed program’s profile and standing among applicants. Freely discussing the merger details left a positive impression on interviewees. Further areas for investigation include comparing multiyear results for a temporal relationship between merger time and responses, as well the role of virtual interviewing on the program and merger evaluation.
Recommended Citation
Snellings JE, Ohanian KG, El Moudden I. Perspectives on a Recently Merged Family Medicine Residency Program: A Post-Match Survey of Ranked, Unmatched Applicants. Eastern Virginia Medical Journal. 2025; 1(1):4-13. doi: 10.25884/34h6-6c57.
