Applicant Perceptions of Postinterview Communication During the 2022 to 2023 Neurosurgery Recruitment Cycle: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract

To evaluate and describe neurosurgery applicant perceptions of the postinterview communication (PIC) process during the US residency match. A voluntary and anonymous postmatch web-based survey was developed and sent to 209 candidates who applied to 1 academic neurosurgery practice during the 2022-2023 recruitment cycle, approximately 1week following match day. Survey questions focused on their perceptions of and participation behaviors with PIC and how this impacted their final rank list. Seventy-eight (37.3%) of the 209 candidates responded to the survey. Sixty-four (84.2%) respondents reported submitting a letter of intent (LOI) to their number 1 ranked program. Sixty-one (82%) felt pressured to send a LOI to improve their rank status, fearing that it may harm them if they did not. Fifty-four (73.0%) respondents felt pressured to send an early LOI despite not seeing the program in person to communicate interest before programs certified their rank lists. Fourteen (18.9%) respondents agreed that a second look experience impacted their rank list enough to where they regretted an early LOI. Fifty-five (76.4%) respondents disagreed that second-look attendance had no impact on their rank status with a program. Fifty (71.4%) respondents agreed that PIC causes undue stress during the match process. Sixty-one (84.7%) respondents agreed that aspects of PIC require universal guidelines. This is the first study to describe the perceptions of PIC and behaviors of neurosurgery applicants during the US residency match process. Standardized PIC practices may help to ensure transparency and relieve stress for applicants during the match process.