Program Signaling in the Integrated-Interventional Radiology Residency Match: 2023 National Survey Results of Program Directors

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the newly adopted program signaling feature and its role in ranking and matching integrated interventional and diagnostic (IR/DR) radiology applicants.

Methods/Materials: Survey questionnaires were distributed nationally to Integrated IR/DR Residency Program Directors for the 2022-2023 application cycle. Review parameters included program utilization and the impact of signaling on applicant ranking and matching.

Results: 32 program directors (PDs) completed the survey. 27 PDs (84.4%) identified their programs as university-based and 5 PDs (15.6%) as community-based. Of the 32 programs, 30 (93.8%) participated in the signaling process. 17 PDs (56.7%) received between 0-10 signals from applicants. Most PDs (56.7%) reported that signaling either impacted or significantly impacted their decisions to extend interview invites to applicants. 43.3% of PDs instructed home/away rotating students to signal their program and used signaling when ranking applicants. 8 PDs (26.7%) stated that applicants who signaled their program were likely to be ranked higher than applicants who did not. 20 programs (66.7%) matched applicants who signaled them, and 18 PDs (60%) reported that signaling increased applicants’ chances of matching into their program.

36.7% of PDs conveyed that signaling made the selection process easier for their program, with a smaller sample (13.3%) reporting that signaling reduced the amount of time spent on applications. 15 PDs (50%) stated that they would like the same number of signals for future application cycles.

Conclusions: The newly adopted program signaling has significantly impacted the integrated interventional radiology residency application. The majority of programs matched applicants that signaled them and believed that signaling increased applicants’ chances of matching into their program. These survey results will help inform applicants on the value of signaling.