Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Extracurricular activities (EAs) listed on radiology residency applications can signal traits and characteristics desired in holistic reviews. We sought an objective analysis to determine the influence of EAs on resident selection decisions.METHODS: A discrete choice experiment was designed to model radiology resident selection and determine the relative weights of EAs among academic and demographic application factors. Faculty involved in resident selection at 30 US radiology programs chose between hypothetical pairs of applicant profiles between October, 2021 and February, 2022. Each applicant profile included one of 22 EAs chosen for study. A conditional logistic regression model assessed the relative weights of the attributes and odds ratios were calculated.RESULTS: 244 participants completed the exercise. Community service EAs were ranked most highly by participants. LGBTQ Pride Alliance (OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.14-2.15, p=0.006) and Young Republicans (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.43-0.82, p=0.001) significantly influenced decisions. The highest ranked EAs were significantly preferred over the lowest ranked EAs (OR: 1.916; 95% CI: 1.671-2.197, p<0.001). Participants preferred EAs that reflected active over passive engagement (OR: 1.154, 95% CI: 1.022-1.304, p=0.021), and progressive over conservative ideology (OR: 1.280, 95% CI: 1.133-1.447, p<0.001). Participants who ranked progressive EAs more highly preferred applicants with progressive EAs (all p-values<0.05).DISCUSSION: The influence of EAs on resident selection decisions is significant and likely to gain importance in resident selection as medical student performance metrics are further eliminated. Applicants and selection committees should consider this influence and the bias that EAs can bring to resident selection decisions.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2023.09.013

View details for PubMedID 37922965