Submission ID 119774
| Code | OB-1-1 |
|---|---|
| Type | Oral |
| Abstract Title | A Scoping Review of the Upstream Influences of Admissions Policies on Applicants: Don't Hate the Player, Hate the Game |
| Will the presenter be a: | Student |
| Methods | Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology was used to summarize results of research studies published between 1980-2024 written in English with empirical evidence of medical school applicants' behaviours being driven by admissions policies. Data extraction was guided by a central tenet of Tummers (2019) policy theory - that policies are important institutional influencers of the behaviour of target populations. |
| Results | Of 2349 studies initially screened, 15 were included in this review. These revealed three types of policy-mediated admissions practices that influence aspirant behaviour: high weightings of grade point averages (GPA) and standardized tests; value placed on extracurricular activities; and prioritization of professional and interpersonal skills assessed via essays, personal statements, interviews, and letters of recommendation. These policies influenced variously how aspirants made academic choices, sought supports, and marshalled their time and resources. Notably, influences were seemingly mediated by aspirants' interpretation of selection policies, rather than by the explicit articulation of selection policies. |
| Discussion | Admissions policies that incentivize behaviours misaligned with the values of medical practice may have harmful downstream effects on both applicants and the profession. Medical schools should consider the unintended consequences of their selection practices and establish policies that protect aspirant wellness and that promote behaviours aligned with the values of the profession. |
| Abstract Track - First Choice | Admissions |
| Learning Outcomes | Critical Thinking General Professionalism/Ethics |
| Authors | Angela Huang Caroline Caswell Stacey Ritz Lawrence Grierson |
