Michael M Wach1, Reed I Ayabe1, Samantha M Ruff1, Michael D'Angelica2, Sean P Dineen3, Elizabeth G Grubbs4, David Shibata5, Lawrence Shirley6, Matthew J Weiss7, Jeremy L Davis1, Jonathan M Hernandez8. 1. Surgical Oncology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. 2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. 3. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA. 4. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. 5. University of Tennessee-Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA. 6. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA. 7. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. 8. Surgical Oncology Program, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. jonathan.hernandez@nih.gov.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is significant demand for training in Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) fellowships. Previous work has explored objective quantitative metrics of applicants that matriculated to CGSO fellowships; however, ambiguity remains concerning academic benchmarks and qualitative factors that impact matriculation. STUDY DESIGN: A web-based survey was sent to each ACGME/SSO-approved CGSO fellowship training program. The survey was comprised of 24 questions in various forms, including dichotomous, ranked, and five-point Likert scale questions. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 30 program directors (97%) submitted complete survey responses, representing 64 of the 65 CGSO fellowship positions (99%) currently offered. Programs received a mean of 73 applications per cycle (range 50-125) and granted a mean of 26 interviews (range 2-45). Seventy-two percent of programs had an established benchmark for ABSITE score percentile before offering a candidate an interview, with 62% of those programs setting that benchmark above the 50th percentile. The majority of programs also had established benchmarks for quantity of first author publications (mean: 2.3) and all publications of any authorship (mean: 4.4). An applicant's interview was ranked as the most important factor in determining inclusion on the program's rank list. The ability to work as part of a team, interpersonal interaction/communication abilities, and operative skills were rated as most important applicant characteristics, whereas an applicant's personal statement was ranked as least important. CONCLUSIONS: After established academic benchmarks have been met, a multitude of factors influences ranking of applicants to the CGSO fellowship, most of which are assessed at the interview.
BACKGROUND: There is significant demand for training in Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) fellowships. Previous work has explored objective quantitative metrics of applicants that matriculated to CGSO fellowships; however, ambiguity remains concerning academic benchmarks and qualitative factors that impact matriculation. STUDY DESIGN: A web-based survey was sent to each ACGME/SSO-approved CGSO fellowship training program. The survey was comprised of 24 questions in various forms, including dichotomous, ranked, and five-point Likert scale questions. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 30 program directors (97%) submitted complete survey responses, representing 64 of the 65 CGSO fellowship positions (99%) currently offered. Programs received a mean of 73 applications per cycle (range 50-125) and granted a mean of 26 interviews (range 2-45). Seventy-two percent of programs had an established benchmark for ABSITE score percentile before offering a candidate an interview, with 62% of those programs setting that benchmark above the 50th percentile. The majority of programs also had established benchmarks for quantity of first author publications (mean: 2.3) and all publications of any authorship (mean: 4.4). An applicant's interview was ranked as the most important factor in determining inclusion on the program's rank list. The ability to work as part of a team, interpersonal interaction/communication abilities, and operative skills were rated as most important applicant characteristics, whereas an applicant's personal statement was ranked as least important. CONCLUSIONS: After established academic benchmarks have been met, a multitude of factors influences ranking of applicants to the CGSO fellowship, most of which are assessed at the interview.
Authors: Mackenzie L Shindorf; Amy R Copeland; Shreya Gupta; Seth M Steinberg; Scott R Steele; Heather L Yeo; Julian A Sanchez; Jonathan M Hernandez Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 2021-02-01 Impact factor: 4.412
Authors: Christina Colosimo; David R Mann; Sidra Bhuller; Douglas Opie; Zachary Beam; James Yon; J Bracken Burns; Kristen Conrad-Schnetz Journal: Cureus Date: 2022-08-13