Analysis of the selection of medical residents of the University of Cartagena, Colombia, in the Covid-19 pandemic period

Introduction: Medical Specialty in Colombia is institutionalized in universities, that is, neither hospitals nor medical-scientific associations can graduate medical specialists. Objective: to analyze the changes in the characteristics of those admitted to the Medical Specialty selection process in 2021 in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: a prospective observational study of comparative series was proposed. All the aspirants and the 57 admitted and evaluated in the three aspects proposed by the University of Cartagena for the 2021-Covid-19 cohort were included, as follows: 1. Accumulated averages during previous medical studies with a value of 60% of the total score. 2. Evaluation of resumes, worth 30% of the total score. 3. Structured interview, worth 10% of the total score. For this study, a survey was conducted with the 57 doctors admitted to the 2021 Call for medical-surgical specialties (first specialties) of the University of Cartagena. The survey designed by the Postgraduate Department of the faculty points to a prior self-assessment of each admitted doctor and explores the general and cultural aspects of the applicants. Results: for the 2021 Covid-19 call, there were 918 applicants. Through the first weighting test of the accumulated average in previous medical studies, 127 applicants were selected to continue the process. The number of students admitted to the EM was 57. The percentage of absorption (number admitted to the number of applicants) in the EM programs was 6.2%. In this call, 2021-Covid-19 there were higher total scores. Half of those admitted, who performed mandatory social service, were published even without being linked to a research group, and without the B2 international level of English required by the University of Cartagena. There were a majority of women, aged over 28, which could have an impact on the high score for experience, single, without children, Catholics, and inhabitants of departmental capitals, coming from private universities. Conclusions: The Covid-19 pandemic imposed changes in the way in which the components of the evaluation were carried out and weighted in the selection of applicants for medical specializations at the University of Cartagena. In this call -2021 Covid-19-, higher total scores were recorded, this because the value of the exam was replaced by the average of grades obtained in the course.