title: Selection of subspecialty fellows in anesthesia for pediatric anesthesia: a national survey of program directors in the United States.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several studies have investigated the selection process for medical students, residents, and fellows across different specialties. Currently, the selection criteria used by pediatric anesthesia program directors to select prospective pediatric anesthesia fellows are unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the criteria used by program directors in the selection of prospective pediatric anesthesia fellows in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey responses were solicited from 51 pediatric anesthesia fellowship directors in the United States. Questions evaluated department demographic information, the importance of fellowship selection criteria, and program satisfaction with the Match process.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two of 51 fellowship directors responded to the survey (a response rate of 82%). The personal statement was reported as extremely/very important for 30 of 42 (71%) program directors, while research experience and prior publications were reported as extremely/very important for 16 of 41 (39%) and 16 of 41 (39%) program directors, respectively. Programs that offered all the spots through the Match were smaller, median (IQR) number of fellows of 3 (2-6) compared to the ones that did not offer all the spots through the Match, 8 (2-12), P = 0.03. In contrast, no difference in program directors' satisfaction with the Match was detected between smaller (≤ 3 fellows) and larger programs (>3 fellows), P = 0.25.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A minority of pediatric fellowship program directors rated prior research experience as an important factor in the selection of prospective fellows. The lack of emphasis on research qualities for fellows is potentially concerning for the future of our specialty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Anesthesiology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Hubert A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Benzon
authors.forename: Gildasio S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: De Oliveira
authors.forename: Narasimhan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jagannathan
authors.forename: Santhanam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suresh
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000193:education*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D013038:Specialization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: anesthesia; fellowship; pediatrics; selection