Evaluating Urology Residency Applications: What Matters Most and What Comes Next?

Overview

Journal Curr Urol Rep

Publisher Current Science

Specialty Urology

Date 2020 Aug 18

PMID 32803400

Citations 9

Authors

Mitchell M Huang

Marisa M Clifton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose Of Review: In light of the announcement that the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 exam will transition to pass/fail reporting, we reviewed recent literature on evaluating residency applicants with a focus on identifying objective measurements of applicant potential.

Recent Findings: References from attending urologists, Step 1 scores, overall academic performance, and research publications are among the most important criteria used to assess applicants. There has been a substantial increase in the average number of applications submitted per applicant, with both applicants and residency directors indicating support for a cap on the number of applications that may be submitted. Additionally, there are increasing efforts to promote diversity with the goal of improving care and representation in urology. Despite progress in standardizing interview protocols, inappropriate questioning remains an issue. Opportunities to improve residency application include promoting diversity, enforcing prohibitions of illegal practices, limiting application numbers, and finding more transparent and equitable screening measures to replace Step 1.

Citing Articles

Implementation of a shared research database to increase medical student awareness and involvement in urology research A pilot study.

Babar M, Loloi J, Labagnara K, Watts K, Laudano M Can Urol Assoc J. 2023; 18(1):E26-E31.

PMID: 37812792 PMC: 10766337. DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.8468.

Evaluating PubMed-Indexed Publications of Applicants Successfully Matching into the Top 50 Urology Residency Programs in the 2021-2023 Cycles.

Mirza S, Williamson T, Mirza M, Arnce R Cureus. 2023; 15(4):e37996.

PMID: 37223190 PMC: 10203445. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.37996.

Assessing the competitiveness of medical humanities research on psychiatry, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology residency program applications.

Leahy J, Jo J, Steidl W, Appel J Med Educ Online. 2023; 28(1):2212929.

PMID: 37166478 PMC: 10177745. DOI: 10.1080/10872981.2023.2212929.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Urology Residency Match and Geographic Proximity of Applicants.

Wang K, Shah Y, Simhal R, Quinn A, Denisenko A, Mann E Urology. 2023; 176:21-27.

PMID: 36963668 PMC: 10033143. DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2023.01.050.

Takele R, Wilson S, Santiago-Lastra Y, Scotland K Urology. 2022; 173:8-9.

PMID: 36436676 PMC: 9684089. DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2022.11.007.

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