Division of Gastroenterology, Bayonne Medical Center, 29 East 29the Street, Bayonne, NJ, 07002, USA.
Dig Dis Sci. 2024 Nov;69(11):4017-4024. doi: 10.1007/s10620-024-08592-6. Epub 2024 Oct 3.
Diseases related to the digestive system account for a significant proportion of the diseases burden in the United States and result in 36.8 million ambulatory visits, 3.8 million hospital admissions, and 22.2 million gastrointestinal endoscopies. To meet the challenge that this quantum of gastroenterological disorders poses, we are obligated to select and train competent gastroenterologists. Admission into a Gastroenterology (GI) fellowship program is highly selective. In 2023, only 62.7% of candidates who applied were successful in matching into a fellowship program, making it even more competitive than a cardiology fellowship (match rate of 68.4%). Therefore, it is imperative that we ensure that the selection process is fair and transparent. Additionally, we need to be socially more responsible by emphasizing diversity and inclusivity to produce gastroenterologists who reflect the changing society we live in. An analysis of current practices indicates that the process of selection is not standardized and is more subjective than objective. This review is an attempt to identify deficiencies that can be rectified by the introduction of a standardized system that includes structured interviews, Standard Letters of Recommendation (SLOR), and objective scoring protocols-all of which would make the process of selection more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Newer methods like Casper exam, Psychometric testing, and Preference Signaling can also be explored to this end.
消化系统相关疾病在美国疾病负担中占很大比例，导致 3680 万次门诊就诊、380 万次住院治疗和 2220 万次胃肠内窥镜检查。为了应对这一大笔胃肠道疾病带来的挑战，我们有义务选拔和培养有能力的胃肠病学家。进入胃肠病学（GI）研究员计划的选拔是高度选择性的。2023 年，只有 62.7%的申请候选人成功匹配到研究员计划，这使得它比心脏病学研究员计划（匹配率为 68.4%）更具竞争力。因此，我们必须确保选拔过程公平透明。此外，我们需要通过强调多样性和包容性来承担更多的社会责任，培养出反映我们所生活的不断变化的社会的胃肠病学家。对当前实践的分析表明，选拔过程没有标准化，主观性大于客观性。本综述试图确定可以通过引入标准化系统来纠正的缺陷，该系统包括结构化面试、标准推荐信 (SLOR) 和客观评分协议——所有这些都将使选拔过程更加公平、多样化和包容。为此，还可以探索 Casper 考试、心理测试和偏好信号等新方法。
