Disclosures: Altamash E. Raja, DO, CSCS: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest

Objective : This survey analysis aimed to determine the influence of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSKUS) exposure on applicants during the residency selection process.

Design: Descriptive Survey

Setting : University-Based PM&R Residency Program

Participants : 69/403 applicants

Interventions: Applicants who interviewed for the Johns Hopkins University PM&R program during the 2018-2019 season were offered an online survey via SurveyMonkey in March 2019.

Main Outcome Measures: Respondents scored the influence of a MSKUS curriculum on their decision-making for residency selection. Questions were scored on a Likert scale with ratings spanning 0-4. Additionally, applicants were asked to rank specific areas of PM&R that influenced their decision making.

Results: Participants most commonly included MSKUS in their top three areas of interest when constructing their rank order list (p < 0.001). When asked if MSKUS presence within a program had an effect during the interview selection process, 67% responded with “very important” or “absolutely essential” (3, 4 respectively; p < 0.01). For 54% of applicants, exposure to MSKUS in residency was an important factor (score >3) when creating their rank order list (p < 0.01). Greater than 90% of applicants stated that they are “likely” or “very likely” (3, 4 respectively) to use MSKUS in their future practice and 81.2% would recommend a program with MSKUS to future candidates (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: MSKUS may be a highly motivating factor among current PM&R applicants for residency selection. PM&R residency programs may benefit with respect to residency recruitment by improving their MSKUS curriculums.

Level of Evidence: Level V

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/musculoskeletal-ultrasound-as-a-motivator-for-selecting-a-physical-medicine-and-rehabilitation-residency-program/