title: Finding the Perfect Match: Factors That Influence Family Medicine Residency Selection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Residency program selection is a significant experience for emerging physicians, yet there is limited information about how applicants narrow their list of potential programs. This study examines factors that influence residency program selection among medical students interested in family medicine at the time of application.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical students with an expressed interest in family medicine were invited to participate in a 37-item, online survey. Students were asked to rate factors that may impact residency selection on a 6-point Likert scale in addition to three open-ended qualitative questions. Mean values were calculated for each survey item and were used to determine a rank order for selection criteria. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors that predict a strong interest in urban, suburban, and rural residency programs. Logistic regression was also used to identify factors that predict a strong interest in academic health center-based residencies, community-based residencies, and community-based residencies with an academic affiliation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 705 medical students from 32 states across the country completed the survey. Location, work/life balance, and program structure (curriculum, schedule) were rated the most important factors for residency selection. Logistic regression analysis was used to refine our understanding of how each factor relates to specific types of residencies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings have implications for how to best advise students in selecting a residency, as well as marketing residencies to the right candidates. Refining the recruitment process will ensure a better fit between applicants and potential programs. Limited recruitment resources may be better utilized by focusing on targeted dissemination strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Northwestern University.
authors.forename: Katherine M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Elizabeth R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gatta
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Deborah S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Clements
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003479:Curriculum; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D019036:Suburban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000072358:Work-Life Balance