title: Improving knowledge and process for international emergency medicine fellowship applicants: a call for a uniform application.
abstract: Background. There are currently 34 International Emergency Medicine (IEM) fellowship programs. Applicants and programs are increasing in number and diversity. Without a standardized application, applicants have a difficulty approaching programs in an informed and an organized method; a streamlined application system is necessary. Objectives. To measure fellows' knowledge of their programs' curricula prior to starting fellowship and to determine what percent of fellows and program directors would support a universal application system. Methods. A focus group of program directors, recent, and current fellows convened to determine the most important features of an IEM fellowship application process. A survey was administered electronically to a convenience sample of 78 participants from 34 programs. Respondents included fellowship directors, fellows, and recent graduates. Results. Most fellows (70%) did not know their program's curriculum prior to starting fellowship. The majority of program directors and fellows support a uniform application service (81% and 67%, resp.) and deadline (85% for both). A minority of program directors (35%) and fellows (30%) support a formal match. Conclusions. Program directors and fellows support a uniform application service and deadline, but not a formalized match. Forums for disseminating IEM fellowship information and for administering a uniform application service and deadline are currently in development to improve the process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
authors.forename: Gabrielle A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Jacquet
authors.forename: Jamil D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bayram
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Ewen
authors.forename: Bhakti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hansoti
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andescavage
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Suter
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vu