The residents' viewpoint of the matching process, factors influencing their program selection, and satisfaction with the results.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors considered by oral and maxillofacial surgery residents in selecting residency programs, to estimate the level of their satisfaction with the selection and matching processes, and to analyze the relationship between these factors and overall satisfaction with their match.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 675 residents listed as members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and 208 responded to the survey. Of these residents, 56.7% were in an MD integrated program, 30.3% were in a 4-year certificate program, 10.6% were in an MD optional program, and 2.4% were in a combined PhD program.

RESULTS: There were no differences between the program types and the number of resident applications or the number of interviews. Residents in the MD integrated programs had significantly higher board scores than both the MD optional residents and the 4-year certificate residents. The most important factors that residents considered when making their match list were as follows: good relationships between residents, good relationships between residents and attendings, training in orthognathic surgery, training in implant surgery, and training in dentoalveolar surgery. When residents were asked whether they were satisfied with the program in which they were currently enrolled, MD integrated residents were significantly more satisfied than were those residents in the MD optional and 4-year certificate program. Additional predictors of residence satisfaction were satisfied with the results of the match process, accuracy of the program in representing itself during the interview process, and less importance placed on orthognathic surgery training. Although generally satisfied, 25% would want to go to a different program if they could go through the match again.

CONCLUSIONS: The majority of residents seem to be satisfied with the program in which they matched. Among the important factors determining satisfaction are the degree of honesty during the interview process, good relations among residents and between residents and attending doctors, the scope of clinical training, and the didactic/academic content of the program.