DOI
10.25884/34h6-6c57
Document Type
Original Research
Subcategory
Graduate Medical Education
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: 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 sought to investigate the effect of the merger on the perspectives of the applicant pool for the subsequent 2020-21 recruiting season. METHODS: An anonymous survey of EVMS Family Medicine applicants during the 2020-21 recruiting season was conducted. Students who interviewed with the residency, 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. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 47.3% (61/129). Responses indicated mixed opinions on major components of the program derived from the merger. Applicants indicated 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 would be preferred over a more recently-completed process. CONCLUSIONS: 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 multi-year 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). doi: 10.25884/34h6-6c57.