Prevalence and Correlates of Prohibited Questions in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Fellowship Interviews During 1 Appointment Year.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2025
Identifier
DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000005783
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study sought to investigate how frequently applicants to internal medicine (IM) and pediatrics fellowships are subjected to prohibited questions, how correlates of these interview questions compare between IM and pediatrics fellowship applicants, and which applicant subgroups are most affected.
METHOD: The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) emailed an anonymous survey to all applicants for the 2021 appointment year to the Medical Specialties Matching Program (i.e., IM fellowship Matches) and Pediatric Specialties Fellowship Match who certified rank order lists (ROLs). The survey addressed specific questions regarding the use of legally prohibited questions and questions that violate the NRMP's Match Participation Agreement during interview-related activities. Experiences of respondents were compared by preferred subspecialty and respondent demographics within IM and pediatrics.
RESULTS: The final response rates of IM and pediatrics fellowship applicants who certified ROLs, including complete and partial surveys, were 21.7% (1,483/6,847) and 23.4% (385/1,648), respectively. Of the IM and pediatrics respondents, 432/1,296 (33.3%) and 97/366 (26.5%), respectively, reported being asked at least one prohibited demographic question. The most commonly asked prohibited questions pertained to relationship or marital status (IM: 312/1,296, 24.1%; pediatrics: 69/367, 18.8%), national origin (IM: 200/1,296, 15.4%; pediatrics: 30/365, 8.2%), and family planning (IM: 104/1,288, 8.1%; pediatrics: 14/366, 3.8%). Nearly 25% of IM and pediatrics respondents reported being asked to identify other programs they applied to or interviewed with. Most often, these questions came from program faculty (IM: 238/303, 78.5%; pediatrics: 69/88, 78.4%) or program directors (IM: 84/303, 27.7%; pediatrics: 18/88, 20.5%).
CONCLUSIONS: Substantial proportions of IM and pediatrics fellowship applicants reported being asked prohibited questions during fellowship interview-related activities. Additional educational efforts are needed to eradicate such questions from the interview process.
Journal Title
Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges
Volume
100
Issue
3
First Page
340
Last Page
350
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Internal Medicine; Pediatrics; Fellowships and Scholarships; Female; Male; Interviews as Topic; Internship and Residency; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adult; United States
PubMed ID
38857337
Keywords
Internal Medicine; Pediatrics; Fellowships and Scholarships; Interviews as Topic; Internship and Residency; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States
Recommended Citation
Scribner KA, West CP, Myers AL, Muchmore EA, Goldstein RB. Prevalence and Correlates of Prohibited Questions in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Fellowship Interviews During 1 Appointment Year. Acad Med. 2025;100(3):340-350. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000005783
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