title: Factors used by female pelvic medicine and reconstructive  surgery fellowship directors to select their fellows.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report the attributes of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPM&RS) fellowship applicants that are most valued by fellowship program directors during the ranking process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anonymous questionnaires were filled out by FPM&RS fellowship program directors following the 2008 match. The survey was designed to assess the relative importance of various factors in the ranking of fellowship applicants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surveys were sent to 67 program directors, and 21 completed the survey (31%). Items ranked as the most important in the selection process were a high quality obstetrics and gynecology residency education (8.2+/-1.2), followed by clinical research experience (7.4+/-1.4). Ability to work well with staff and work ethic were considered to be the most important subjective criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support anecdotal evidence that placed emphasis on research experience and interpersonal skills in the selection of FPM&RS fellows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA. mufflyt@ccf.org
authors.forename: Tyler M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Muffly
authors.forename: Emily R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Penick
authors.forename: Fengming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bonham
authors.forename: Roger P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Richard F C
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Roberta E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Blandon
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans