ERAS Filtering by Programs....Ethical?

[ukdoc74]

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From my discussions with program coordinators, it seems like they can filter everything from age, race (yeah that is why they ask for race on ERAS), disability, FMG status..

Is this ethical?

I have no problem with filtering by USMLE Step 1 scores (which they do) or AOA but age and race appears to be unethical.

 

[JacobMcCandles]

It'd be unethical if they admitted they do it. I don't think any program coordinator is going to admit they filter by age, race, gender, etc. if they happen to.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

ERAS has a "data screening" function. When we first install it, data such as gender, race, visa status, etc are all blocked. We then can choose to unblock data, but doing so is recorded by the system. So, for example, we leave gender, race, birth date and place, and SSN all screened for the entire application season, and only unscreen them after match. We also screen photographs, but unscreen those before interviews start as I like to be able to recognize interviewees -- plus now it's your choice whether you want to upload a photo or not and if you want to send it to programs.

Interestingly, we can also screen the legal questions (misdemeanors and felonies). We don't screen those at all.

The most controversial one is "Limitations". We don't screen that either, as I feel that if you choose to disclose any limitations, it would be important that I know about that and we discuss it during an interview.

Of note, even if race/ethnicity is unscreened, you cannot create a filter around it.