Go Pauline H, Zulch Emma R, Zukowski Monica, Taylor Matthew D, Reed Michael F
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep. 2024 Dec 26;3(2):543-548. doi: 10.1016/j.atssr.2024.12.006. eCollection 2025 Jun.
The letter of recommendation is an important component of a residency application and is useful for identifying stellar cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) candidates. We identify letter attributes and phrases that CTS program directors (PDs) find to be the most valuable in selecting candidates.
An online survey was distributed to CTS PDs in the United States and Canada, querying the importance of various letter characteristics. Reponses were ranked on the basis of a weighted average.
Twenty-six (26.5%) CTS PDs completed the survey. Personal acquaintanceship with the writer was the most important characteristic (weighted average, 4.77). Interpersonal skills, teamwork, and professionalism were the most important applicant attributes (4.00, 3.88, 3.76). Inclusion of personal interactions or experiences with the applicant (4.65) and the phrases "I give my highest recommendation" (4.56) and "we plan to recruit this candidate" (4.52) were rated the highest.
Describing personal interactions and experiences with the applicant, their work ethic, interpersonal skills, and teamwork is essential for a strong letter. Personal acquaintanceship with the letter writer has the greatest positive impact overall.
推荐信是住院医师申请的重要组成部分，有助于识别优秀的心胸外科（CTS）候选人。我们确定了CTS项目主任（PDs）在选拔候选人时认为最有价值的推荐信属性和措辞。
向美国和加拿大的CTS项目主任发放了一份在线调查问卷，询问各种推荐信特征的重要性。根据加权平均值对回答进行排名。
26名（26.5%）CTS项目主任完成了调查。与写信人的个人交情是最重要的特征（加权平均值为4.77）。人际交往能力、团队合作精神和职业素养是最重要的申请人属性（分别为4.00、3.88、3.76）。包含与申请人的个人互动或经历（4.65）以及措辞“我给予最高推荐”（4.56）和“我们计划招募这名候选人”（4.52）的评价最高。
描述与申请人的个人互动和经历、他们的职业道德、人际交往能力和团队合作精神对于一封有力的推荐信至关重要。与写信人的个人交情总体上具有最大的积极影响。
