SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Fellowship Program Directors' Perspectives on Hospitalist Gap Years

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This qualitative study explored fellowship program directors’ (FPDs) views on hospitalist gap years before subspecialty fellowship. Sixteen directors from cardiology, pulmonology/critical care, hematology/oncology, and gastroenterology at five academic institutions were interviewed using rapid qualitative analysis.<br /><br />Five themes emerged:<br /><br />1. The Pitch: Applicants should clearly explain why they took a gap year and how it fits into their overall career trajectory. Directors often felt this rationale was not obvious in applications.<br /><br />2. The Phenotype: Gap years were viewed more favorably when they included specialty-specific activities that reinforced commitment to the field. Directors preferred shorter gap periods, ideally one academic year, and viewed chief resident years positively.<br /><br />3. The Products: Applicants should show what they accomplished during the gap year, especially through academic productivity, leadership, quality improvement, education, research, and other meaningful experiences. A gap year without publications or other outputs could be seen as a disadvantage.<br /><br />4. The Problems: Directors noted persistent bias toward gap-year applicants and concern that a gap year might hide a failure to match. They also recognized that returning to an academic learning environment after time away can be challenging.<br /><br />5. The Projections: Directors emphasized wellbeing and personal fit, but also noted that growing applicant pools make it important for candidates to present clear, compelling stories.<br /><br />Overall, FPDs did not see gap years as automatically negative. However, they strongly valued transparency, purposeful specialty commitment, and clear explanation of how the gap year supports long-term career development. The authors conclude that residents considering a gap year should proactively address these issues in their personal statement and application, and that unless there is a compelling reason to delay, applying directly to fellowship may be preferable.

Asset Subtitle

Teela Crecelius

Meta Tag

Author List Angela Keniston, Anne S. Linker, Brian Kwan, Emily Gottenborg, Lauren McBeth, Shannon K. Martin, Teela Crecelius

Category Research

Concept Gap Year

Concept Rationale

Concept Accomplishment

Concept Career Trajectory

Concept Professional Goals

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Indiana University School of Medicine

Presenting Author Teela Crecelius

Track Communication

Keywords

hospitalist gap year

fellowship program directors

subspecialty fellowship

qualitative study

academic productivity

career trajectory

specialty commitment

application transparency

resident gap year

medical fellowship applications

Gap Year

Rationale

Accomplishment

Career Trajectory

Professional Goals