surveys

[sonso]

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Are you all filling out these post-match surveys regarding interview experience and why you didn't rank x program higher?

I know they say responses are confidential but it's a small (PM&R) world.

I know it's the curteous thing to do, just wondering if others were completing them.

Any thoughts?

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

I would encourage people to fill them out.

I am now in my last year of residency, and I work on some committees with program directors from other programs I didn't rank #1. From talking to them, I can tell that they valued the feedback to improve the qualities of their programs. It is a small world, but I think that works to the advantage of honest feedback, because they know that departmental reputations can change quickly if medical students aren't happy. So long as you are diplomatic, I think they appreciate an honest assessment of their perceived strengths and weaknesses.

I suspect that one reason programs are realizing the need for stronger musculoskeletal/sports/interventional spine training is because of the feedback from interview candidates.

So please, let programs what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong.

 

[melancholy]

Are you all filling out these post-match surveys regarding interview experience and why you didn't rank x program higher?

I know they say responses are confidential but it's a small (PM&R) world.

I know it's the curteous thing to do, just wondering if others were completing them.

Any thoughts?

How are you getting these surveys.. through e-mail or snail mail? I believe constructive feedback is good as long as our privacy is respected. Sonso is right that in smaller specialties or communities, everyone seems to know everyone else and you never know when you will end up working with someone.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

While it is true that you never know who you will run into the future, I would still recommend giving feedback.

I'll give one personal example. I ranked University of Washington very highly, but ended up matching up at Kessler, which I ranked #1. I told Dr. Massagli at Washington that the reason I didn't rank them #1 at the time was their relative lack of strength in sports medicine.

I have since met Dr. Massagli on several occasions, and have a pleasant relationship with her. She told me that she valued the feedback, and since then they have expanded their sports medicine program, so that now sports medicine is a strength of their department instead of a weakness. They took what was already a great program and made it even better.

I agree it's not prudent to not make petty comments when giving feedback, but honest feedback can help make programs better.

> How are you getting these surveys.. through e-mail or snail mail? I believe constructive feedback is good as long as our privacy is respected. Sonso is right that in smaller specialties or communities, everyone seems to know everyone else and you never know when you will end up working with someone.

 

[Bronte]

I feel like this is a silly question but for one of the programs I ranked that sent me a letter asking why I ended up not ranking them number one was because I ended up speaking to some residents privately after the interview who told me that they were really unhappy and not learning. I was going to rank them #1 until the resident told me that and sorta hinted that there were better places. I had an great interview and great rapport with the PD and the other attending but was also told that these two ppl are not indicative of the program. I feel weird writing that as my response- I don't want to offend anybody. What should I say or how can I say it tactfully?

While it is true that you never know who you will run into the future, I would still recommend giving feedback.

I'll give one personal example. I ranked University of Washington very highly, but ended up matching up at Kessler, which I ranked #1. I told Dr. Massagli at Washington that the reason I didn't rank them #1 at the time was their relative lack of strength in sports medicine.

I have since met Dr. Massagli on several occasions, and have a pleasant relationship with her. She told me that she valued the feedback, and since then they have expanded their sports medicine program, so that now sports medicine is a strength of their department instead of a weakness. They took what was already a great program and made it even better.

I agree it's not prudent to not make petty comments when giving feedback, but honest feedback can help make programs better.

> How are you getting these surveys.. through e-mail or snail mail? I believe constructive feedback is good as long as our privacy is respected. Sonso is right that in smaller specialties or communities, everyone seems to know everyone else and you never know when you will end up working with someone.

 

[Bronte]

PS- I also don't want to get the residents in trouble for being honest with me

I feel like this is a silly question but for one of the programs I ranked that sent me a letter asking why I ended up not ranking them number one was because I ended up speaking to some residents privately after the interview who told me that they were really unhappy and not learning. I was going to rank them #1 until the resident told me that and sorta hinted that there were better places. I had an great interview and great rapport with the PD and the other attending but was also told that these two ppl are not indicative of the program. I feel weird writing that as my response- I don't want to offend anybody. What should I say or how can I say it tactfully?

 

[sonso]

How are you getting these surveys.. through e-mail or snail mail? I believe constructive feedback is good as long as our privacy is respected. Sonso is right that in smaller specialties or communities, everyone seems to know everyone else and you never know when you will end up working with someone.

Both. I decided to complete all of them.

 

[sonso]

I feel like this is a silly question but for one of the programs I ranked that sent me a letter asking why I ended up not ranking them number one was because I ended up speaking to some residents privately after the interview who told me that they were really unhappy and not learning. I was going to rank them #1 until the resident told me that and sorta hinted that there were better places. I had an great interview and great rapport with the PD and the other attending but was also told that these two ppl are not indicative of the program. I feel weird writing that as my response- I don't want to offend anybody. What should I say or how can I say it tactfully?

That's a tough one. Remain honest though. You can make an attempt at being very vague or. I know that doesn't help much.

 

[rehab_sports_dr]

That's tough. I probably wouldn't comment specifically about the residents's comments.

I might make a comment to the effect of "I had the impression that the atmosphere wasn't conducive and supportive to learning" or something to that effect.

If your goal is to make the program better and not hurt the residents, it would be helpful for the program director to hear that kind of feedback.

 

[blue angel]

I got a 'postmatch survey'letter from the program,I ranked no.1 today & I would like to find out why the program didnt rank me high?!
I received a call from the associate PD, before the match asking me to rank the program high (since they ranked me high too ),which I did.....&....surprise !!
so,does this happen often ?? the false promises etc by programs ??
thanx guys

 

[OMMFellow06]

Unfortunately, some programs play more games than others. You can't be sure how truthful they are being. I know of a few people that got screwed b/c of that. Sorry that you didnt get into the program of your choice.

As advice to people that will be going through this in the future, rank according to how YOU feel about the programs and NOT how the program claims to feel about you. If it's meant to be, it'll work out the way you want. If not, you're meant for something else.

 

[Bronte]

I think it's hard to tell what's real or not. I think I was happy when I heard good stuff but I also kept my hopes in check. MY policy was that until I saw it in writing or in our case, match day- it didn't mean anything. I think Ripal is right to rank by your gut instinct. I would call up the program and find out why you didn't get ranked? It's ironic that they're sending you a letter.

Unfortunately, some programs play more games than others. You can't be sure how truthful they are being. I know of a few people that got screwed b/c of that. Sorry that you didnt get into the program of your choice.

As advice to people that will be going through this in the future, rank according to how YOU feel about the programs and NOT how the program claims to feel about you. If it's meant to be, it'll work out the way you want. If not, you're meant for something else.

 

[DistantMets]

It's unfortunate you didn't rank at your first choice...However, saying they plan to rank you high is not a "false promise". They didn't promise you a spot, but it sounds like you interpreted it that way. Who knows, you might have been a person or two away from matching there and you really were ranked highly. The match works in the student's favor if you just rank the places you like in order and don't get swayed by the recruiting tactics.

I got a 'postmatch survey'letter from the program,I ranked no.1 today & I would like to find out why the program didnt rank me high?!
I received a call from the associate PD, before the match asking me to rank the program high (since they ranked me high too ),which I did.....&....surprise !!
so,does this happen often ?? the false promises etc by programs ??
thanx guys