Objective/ Background: In the 2022-2023 application cycle, obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) introduced preference signaling. Given its novelty, it was unclear to both mentors and applicants how this system would affect interview invitations and the Match.
Methods: We will first describe the available data on preference signaling in specialties that use different models of signal number, home institution, and away-rotation signals. We will compare this to match data in Ob/Gyn and outcomes of a cross-sectional survey study of over 64% of matched applicants, which showed that gold and silver tokens were associated with high ratios of interview invitations compared to no token. However, this study also showed that only half of survey respondents reported feeling positively about the signaling process, with many identifying lack of mentorship and lack of knowledge about signaling as sources of dissatisfaction.
We will also engage the group in a discussion about the changing landscape of the application and knowledge gap for faculty mentors and students in the Ob/Gyn match.
We will break into small groups to review scenarios of challenging applications situations and present potential solutions to the larger group. We will conclude with a review of nationally available resources for mentors for counseling future applicants.
Results: N/A
Conclusion/ Discussion: Take Home Product: Outline of results of the survey, QR code with link to folder of published studies, and nationally available resources for faculty mentors and applicants.
Topics: Faculty Development Seminar, 2024, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Residency Director, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, GME, UME,
R. Nicholas Burns, MD; Liz Southworth, MD; Alyssa Stephenson-Famy, MD