Factors Associated With Infectious Disease Fellowship Fill Rate: An Analysis of 2019, 2020, and 2021 Match Cycles

Factors associated with infectious diseases fellowship academic success

BACKGROUND

A multitude of factors are considered in an infectious disease (ID) training program's meticulous selection process of ID fellows but their correlation to pre and in-fellowship academic success as well as post-fellowship academic success and short-term outcomes is poorly understood. Our goal was to investigate factors associated with subsequent academic success in fellowship as well as post-fellowship short-term outcomes.

METHODS

In 2022, we retrospectively analyzed deidentified academic records from 39 graduates of the Mayo Clinic Rochester ID Fellowship Program (1 July 2013- 30 June 2022). Data abstracted included demographics, degrees, honor society membership, visa/citizenship status, medical school, residency training program, United States Medical Licensure Exam (USMLE) scores, letters of recommendation, in-training examination (ITE) scores, fellowship track, academic rank, career choice, number of honors, awards, and abstracts/publications prior to fellowship, during training, and within 2 years of graduation.

RESULTS

Younger fellows had higher USMLE step 1 scores, pre and in-fellowship scholarly productivity, and higher ITE performance. Female fellows had significantly higher USMLE step 3 scores. Prior research experience translated to greater in-fellowship scholarly productivity. Higher USMLE scores were associated with higher ID ITE performance during multiple years of fellowship, but USMLE step 2 clinical knowledge and 3 scores were associated with higher pre and in-fellowship scholarly productivity and receiving an award during fellowship. The USMLE step 1 score did not correlate with fellowship performance beyond year 1 and 2 ITE scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple aspects of a prospective fellow's application must be considered as part of a holistic review process for fellowship selection. USMLE step 2 CK and 3 scores may predict fellowship performance across multiple domains.

Analysis of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program Directors Postmatch 2023 Survey

The 2023 United States infectious diseases (ID) fellowship match resulted in a large percentage of programs with unfilled positions. A survey was sent to ID program directors nationwide to better understand their perceptions on the match. Program directors perceived geography, a small applicant pool, and low specialty pay as contributing factors to the match results. Developing specialized fellowship tracks, increasing funding for the ID trainee pipeline, and national advocacy for higher compensation were identified as areas to focus on to increase the applicant pool. Areas of controversy, such as decreasing the number or size of fellowship programs, require further discussion.

Pediatric Pulmonary Fellowship Program Size Effect on Recruitment and Workforce Distribution

Background

Concerns about the pediatric pulmonology workforce suggest a need to improve fellowship recruitment. Program size is related to the financial health and recruitment success of pediatric subspecialty education programs, but there are few data on how program size impacts recruitment and workforce in pediatric pulmonology.

Objective

Assess the impact of program size in pediatric pulmonology through examination of the distribution of applicants matching into pediatric pulmonology training programs over time and relationships to workforce distribution.

Methods

Data from the National Residency Match Program from 2010 to 2022 were extracted from published documents. Positions offered, positioned filled, and match rates were calculated for each appointment year. Statewide statistics for the number of fellows matched were analyzed relative to the number of pediatric pulmonologists per capita using data from the American Board of Pediatrics.

Results

From 2010 to 2018, the size and distribution of programs in pediatric pulmonology were stable, with most fellows (82.4%) matching into programs with one or two positions per cycle. Starting in 2019, programs offering three or more positions steadily increased in number and aggregate positions offered. This change was associated with an increase in total filled positions (38.9 ± 7.3 in 2010-2018 vs. 50.5 ± 8.7 in 2019-2022; P < 0.03) and an increased fraction who matched into larger programs (17.6% in 2010-2018 vs. 36.9% in 2019-2022; P < 0.001). Among states with fellowship programs, the number of fellows matched over the past 5 years correlated with the number of practicing pediatric pulmonologists per capita (r = 0.78; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The period 2019-2022 saw a marked shift of pediatric pulmonary trainees matching into a relatively small number of larger programs. This shift was associated with overall growth in the number of trainees but may have implications on geographical distribution of practicing pediatric pulmonologists.

Road map to success: Advice for transplant infectious diseases job interviews, negotiation, and early career development

Transplant infectious diseases is an engaging subspecialty within the field of infectious diseases and poses unique considerations when searching for a job. Here, we present essential considerations for those early in their career when applying for and selecting their employment.

Leading teams while exhausted: Perspectives from healthcare epidemiology and beyond

Mental fatigue and burnout are concerns for healthcare organizations, but their effects on leaders have not been thoroughly studied. Infectious diseases teams and leaders are at risk for mental fatigue and burnout due to the increased demands from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, additive effects of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (omicron) and δ (delta) variant surges, and unique pre-existing pressures. No single intervention can reduce stress and burnout in healthcare workers. Work-hour limitations may have the biggest impact in physician burnout mitigation. Institutional and individual programs focused on mindfulness may improve well-being in the workplace. Leading during times of stress requires a multimodal approach and an understanding of goals and priorities. Greater awareness of burnout and fatigue across the healthcare spectrum and continued research are required to advance healthcare worker well-being.

Online Learning for Infectious Disease (ID) Fellows – a needs assessment

Background

Online resources and social media have become increasingly ubiquitous in medical education. Little is known about the need for educational resources aimed at infectious disease (ID) fellows.

Methods

We conducted an educational needs assessment through a survey that aimed to describe ID fellows’ current use of online and social media tools, assess the value of online learning, and identify the educational content preferred by ID fellows. We subsequently convened focus groups with ID fellows to explore how digital tools contribute to fellow learning.

Results

A total of 110 ID fellows responded to the survey. Over half were second-year fellows (61, 55%). Although many respondents were satisfied with the educational resources provided by their fellowship program (70, 64%), the majority were interested in an online collaborative educational resource (97, 88%). Twitter was the most popular social media platform for education and the most valued online resource for learning. Focus groups identified several themes regarding social medial learning: broadened community, low barrier to learning, technology-enhanced learning, and limitations of current tools. Overall, the focus groups suggest that fellows value social media and online learning.

Conclusions

ID fellows are currently using online and social media resources, which they view as valuable educational tools. Fellowship programs should consider these resources as complementary to traditional teaching and as a means to augment ID fellow education.

#SoMe the Money! Value, Strategy, and Implementation of Social Media Engagement for Infectious Diseases Trainees, Clinicians, and Divisions

Social media platforms have revolutionized how we consume information, along with how to effectively present communication, education, and advocacy efforts. There is profound value in leveraging social media within these aspects for the field of infectious diseases, for divisions and individual clinicians. Herein, we provide the rationale to incorporate social media as a key competency for infectious diseases training and specific guidance on aspects of education and strategic development of new accounts critical for success.