Capoccia Edward, Coogan Christopher
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Urol Pract. 2019 Sep;6(5):327-330. doi: 10.1097/UPJ.0000000000000035. Epub 2019 Feb 4.
We assessed the prevalence of potentially illegal questions asked as well as the financial burden faced by applicants during the 2017 and 2018 urology match.
A survey was e-mailed to all candidates applying to a single urology residency program during the 2017 and 2018 matches. Data collected included demographic information, estimate of the total money spent during interviews and whether applicants were asked any of the potentially discriminatory questions outlined by the NRMP (National Residency Match Program) at any interview.
An e-mail was sent to 609 applicants, with 201 responses (33% response rate). The median amount of money spent per applicant during the interview process was $5,000 (IQR $3,000-$8,000). Of the potentially discriminatory questions outlined by the NRMP, "other programs for which you applied" was asked for 96.8% of respondents, "where you planned on ranking their program" for 34.6%, pregnancy status of you or your significant other for 14.7%, religious affiliation for 4.5% and sexual orientation for 0.6%.
Potentially discriminatory questions are still prevalent in urology residency interviews and the financial expense of interviewing remains immense. Urology has a separate match and can be a leader in making changes to limit the prevalence of these questions with the goal of making the match process as fair and nondiscriminatory as possible. Efforts should also be made to minimize costs so that highly qualified candidates do not miss interviews due to financial constraints.
