Valadez Jullian, Liang Alvina, Goldin Melissa, Su Ivo, Williamson Edwin, Eichbaum Quentin, Patel Soha, Minor Tara, Law Janice, Longmuir Reid, Burgner Anna, Motta-Calderon Daniel, Lindsey Jennifer L
is a Fourth-Year Medical Student, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM), Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
is a Third-Year Medical Student, VUSM, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
J Grad Med Educ. 2025 Aug;17(4):453-463. doi: 10.4300/JGME-D-24-00670.1. Epub 2025 Aug 15.
Program signaling is a relatively new tool in the residency application process, introduced to help applicants express genuine interest in programs amid rising application numbers. While its use has rapidly expanded across specialties, the number and type of signals vary. Limited cross-specialty analysis hinders identification of best practices, leaving applicants and programs without standardized guidance about how to use signaling to achieve specific goals. This review summarizes the quantitative effects of program signaling on application volume and interview yield, stakeholder perceptions, and evolving trends in signaling use. A systematic search on 3 databases was conducted from January 2021 through May 2024. Four independent reviewers screened studies for original, empirical data on program signaling. A narrative review synthesized findings on outcomes and stakeholder opinions. Of 98 studies screened, 31 (32%) met inclusion criteria. Data from multiple specialties showed that signaling increased interview yield, though benefits did not scale with the number of signals offered. Allowing more signals was associated with fewer applications per program in some specialties. Both applicants and program directors generally viewed signaling positively. Applicant satisfaction was higher in specialties with fewer signals. Over time, there has been a trend toward increasing signals and implementing tiered models. Program signaling is associated with increased interview yield across specialties. Most program directors and applicants support its continued use. Applicants desire greater transparency in how programs use signals.
项目信号传递是住院医师申请过程中一种相对较新的工具，旨在帮助申请人在申请人数不断增加的情况下表达对项目的真正兴趣。虽然它的使用已在各专业迅速扩展，但信号的数量和类型各不相同。跨专业分析有限阻碍了最佳实践的识别，使申请人和项目缺乏关于如何利用信号传递来实现特定目标的标准化指导。本综述总结了项目信号传递对申请量和面试率、利益相关者看法以及信号传递使用演变趋势的量化影响。从2021年1月到2024年5月，对3个数据库进行了系统检索。四名独立评审员筛选了有关项目信号传递的原始实证数据的研究。一篇叙述性综述综合了关于结果和利益相关者意见的研究结果。在筛选的98项研究中，31项（32%）符合纳入标准。来自多个专业的数据表明，信号传递提高了面试率，不过好处与提供的信号数量不成正比。在某些专业中，允许更多信号与每个项目的申请数量减少有关。申请人和项目主任普遍对信号传递持积极看法。信号较少的专业中申请人满意度更高。随着时间的推移，出现了信号增加和实施分层模式的趋势。项目信号传递与各专业面试率提高相关。大多数项目主任和申请人支持继续使用它。申请人希望项目使用信号的方式更加透明。
