Disrupting the Fellowship Match: COVID-19 and the Applicant Arms Race

Resident and fellow selection carried out via “the Match” has historically relied upon in-person interviews to evaluate and rank candidates. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has required fellowship matches and the upcoming Main Residency Match® to become wholly virtual. The 2020 pediatric surgery matc...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of surgical education 2021-07, Vol.78 (4), p.1069-1072
Main Authors: Swendiman, Robert A., Jones, R. Ellen, Blinman, Thane A., Krummel, Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
COVID-19
fellowship
the Match
virtual interviews
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Resident and fellow selection carried out via “the Match” has historically relied upon in-person interviews to evaluate and rank candidates. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has required fellowship matches and the upcoming Main Residency Match® to become wholly virtual. The 2020 pediatric surgery match offers a unique case study in the benefits and shortcomings of a virtual process and begins a much-needed conversation regarding opportunities for innovation in candidate selection. For many candidates, the application cycle imposes considerable costs – financial, professional, and personal – which have only escalated over time. We draw on our experience from the most recent match cycle to discuss limitations of the traditional Match® and suggest potential solutions to improve the subspecialty interview process moving forward.
ISSN:1931-7204
1878-7452
DOI:10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.12.016