Purpose
The transition to pass/fail Step 1, has left a void in how residency program directors select applicants. This is juxtaposed by a rapidly growing emphasis on holistic review of applicants. The AAMC’s provides clear guidelines for holistic review utilizing known as EACM. We sought to determine the utilization of the EACM model with program directors and how this has adjusted in recent application cycles. Understanding the perceived value of specific applicant characteristics will help guide academic programs and advisors on the most valuable items to incorporate on the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).

Methods
We composed a series of survey questions distributed to residency program directors. Emails were obtained via the ACGME program director (PD) listserv. The survey was distributed to all specialties offering categorical matches for UME students and received 196 responses with a 100% completion rate. IRB#NSU-2023-357

Results
54.5% of PDs had familiarity with the EACM model, with 51.5% using the model often or very often in review of residency applications. When asked to choose the 3 attributes most valued in the EACM model, a majority of PD’s chose team player, intellectual curiosity and integrity. 57.1% of PD’s chose not at all or slightly when asked if the MSPE provides a good measure of attributes in the EACM model.

Conclusions
PD’s who were more familiar with the EACM model had a higher rate of utilization. This suggests that most PDs that have learned about the process have a positive perception of its value. The use of the MSPE was not significantly different between PD populations. This may stem from a lack of trust in institutions providing discernable data. Interestingly, majority of PDs found MSPEs to not accurately highlight EACM attributes. This tied with the most PDs reacting positively to the EACM model suggests a blueprint for improving relevance of MSPEs.