Use of social media resources by applicants during the residency selection process.

BACKGROUND: The attitudes of residency applicants regarding social media resources and how these resources affect their decisions during residency selection have not been well-studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of electronic and social media resources by residency applicants and the impact of these resources on their residency selection decisions. METHODS: Interviewees at our anesthesiology residency program during the 2012-2013 interview cycle were surveyed anonymously regarding their use of electronic and social media resources. RESULTS: On a scale from 1 to 5 (1=not at all important, 5=very important), social media resources were given a ranking of 3 (2-3) (median [25%-75%]) for importance for gathering residency program information. Our Facebook page was accessed by 47% of respondents. Thirty-seven percent did so before applying and 58% did so after applying but before interviewing. The Facebook page was useful to 12% when deciding whether to apply to our program, 25% when deciding whether to interview, and 29% when deciding where to rank our program on their rank order list. Participants who responded that our Facebook page was useful in three domains (applying, interviewing, and ranking) credited it for increasing the likelihood that they applied to, interviewed at, and preferentially ranked our program. CONCLUSIONS: Social media resources serve a valuable role for residency applicants. Applicants who accessed our program's Facebook page reported that it made them more likely to apply to our program, interview at our program, and that it increased the position of our program on their rank order lists.

Financial Implications of Different Interpretations of ACGME Anesthesiology Program Requirements for Rotations in the Operating Room.

BACKGROUND: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards for resident education in anesthesiology mandate required rotations including rotations inside the operating room (OR). When residents complete rotations outside the OR, other providers must be used to maintain the OR's clinical productivity. OBJECTIVE: WE QUANTIFIED AND COMPARED THE COSTS OF REPLACING RESIDENTS BY USING TWO DIFFERENT WORKING PATTERNS THAT ARE COMPLIANT WITH THE ACGME ANESTHESIOLOGY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: (1) the minimum amount of time in the OR, and (2) working the maximum amount of time permitted in the OR. METHODS: We calculated resident replacement costs over a 36-month residency period in both a minimum and maximum OR time model. We used a range of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) pay scales determined by a local market analysis for cost comparisons. RESULTS: Depending on CRNA pay rates, the cost differentials to replace a resident in the OR between the minimum and maximum OR time models ranged from $236,000 to $581,876, assuming a 50-hour resident work week, and $373,400 to $931,001, assuming an 80-hour resident work week. This cost was per resident over the entire 3 years of their residency. CONCLUSIONS: Varying the amount of time residents work in the OR (as allowed under ACGME program requirements) has significant financial implications over a 36-month anesthesiology residency. The larger the residency, the more significant will be the impact on the department and sponsoring institution.