Creating a Residency Application Personal Statement Writers Workshop: Fostering Narrative, Teamwork, and Insight at a Time of Stress.
OBJECTIVE
Every graduating medical student must write a personal statement for the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS), yet there are no widely available resources designed to aid the writing process, causing stress among applicants.


METHODS
The authors offered every Medical College of Wisconsin senior student in the Classes of 2014 and 2015 a voluntary self-contained two-hour Residency Application Personal Statement Writers Workshop. The session included the selection of writing prompts, speedwriting, and a peer-edit critique. Data were gathered before and after each workshop and at the time of ERAS submission.


RESULTS
One hundred nine students elected to participate. Of the 96 participants completing a preworkshop questionnaire, only 28 (29%) were comfortable with creative and reflective writing. Fifty-four students completed a follow-up survey after submitting their ERAS application. Fifty-one (94%) found the session effective in getting their personal statement started, and 65 (70%) were surprised by the quality of their writing. Almost all could trace some of their final statement to the workshop. Forty-six (85%) found working with other students helpful, and 49 (91%) would recommend the session to future students; 47 (87%) agreed that the workshop was "fun."


CONCLUSIONS
The full workshop will be repeated yearly. Workshops will also be offered to residents preparing fellowship applications. A shorter version (without the peer-edit critique) was used successfully with the entire Class of 2016 to help them reflect on their initial clinical encounters. The authors will seek further opportunities to enhance reflection for students, residents, and faculty with these techniques.
B.H. Campbell is professor of otolaryngology and communication sciences and a faculty member, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. N. Havas is associate professor of family and community medicine and a faculty member, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A.R. Derse is Julia and David Uihlein Professor of Medical Humanities, professor of bioethics, professor of emergency medicine, and director, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities and Institute for Health and Society, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. R.L. Holloway is professor of family and community medicine, associate dean for student affairs, and an affiliate faculty member, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Bruce H
BH
Campbell
Nancy
N
Havas
Arthur R
AR
Derse
Richard L
RL
Holloway
D003479:Curriculum; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D033262:Narration; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin; D014956:Writing