Thanks for the Signal—Now What? Program Director Perspectives on How Preference Signals Are Shaping General Surgery Residency Recruitment

John M. Woodward

doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2026.104061

Thanks for the Signal—Now What? Program Director Perspectives on How Preference Signals Are Shaping General Surgery Residency Recruitment

2026-07-08

0

OA

AI

J

John M. Woodward

C

Connie Gan

D

Darci C. Foote

T

Tasha Posid

N

Nicole Santucci

N

Noosha D. Deravi

C

Caitlin Silvestri

K

Kirstyn E. Brownson

E

Erika Simmerman Mabes

R

Rondi Gelbard

M

Milanie Milan

N

Nina Zhao

D

Dylan R. Nieman

M

Martha Godfrey

B

Benjamin D. Ferguson

J

Joseph C. L’Huillier

C

Colleen McDermott

P

Prajjwol Luitel

O

Olabisi Sheppard

J

Jennifer Chen

DOI：10.1016/j.jsurg.2026.104061

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Abstract

En 中文

• Signals improve efficiency in application screening, enabling holistic review. • Signals improved interview distribution among applicants and reduced prestige bias. • Greater program transparency would allow applicants to better assess “fit.” • PDs felt postinterview signaling could formalize the letter of intent process.

Keywords:

Preference signaling

General surgery

Graduate medical education

Residency recruitment

Thanks for the Signal—Now What? Program Director Perspectives on How Preference Signals Are Shaping General Surgery Residency Recruitment

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