ERAS® Information

©2003 Association of American Medical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Preparing for ERAS

Moira H. EdwardsDirector, ERAS

Asst. Vice President, AAMC

American Society of NephrologySt. Louis, MO

October 28, 2004


In this session …

• The Growth of ERAS• How does it work?• To Do List• December 1st, 2005• Using the Program Directors

Workstation Software (PDWS)• Questions


Programs Participating in ERAS

0500

1000150020002500300035004000


ERAS

• ERAS debuted in 1996 with one specialty and 2,000 applicants.

• ERAS now serves 37 specialties, 3,500 programs, and 32,000 applicants.

• ERAS was conceived as a fully electronic way to transmit residency applications.


ERAS Fellowships

• By 2001, phased introduction of PGY1 and PGY2 specialties was complete.

• Approached by sub-specialties eager to have a similar service.

• Worked with representatives for two years before debuting ERAS Fellowships in July 2003.


How does it work?


Flow of Information


ERAS Nomenclature

• ERAS XXXX e.g. ERAS 2006– Name is based on when the offers made or

match conducted

– Nephrology is joining ERAS 2006

– In December 2005, Nephrology programs will begin receiving applications for positions starting in July 2007.


Participating Specialties

• ERAS 2004– Colon & Rectal Surgery

– Vascular Surgery

– Pulmonary & Critical Care

• ERAS 2005– Infectious Diseases

– Rheumatology

– Pediatric Surgery


Upcoming Specialties

• ERAS 2006– Nephrology

– Cardiology

– Endocrinology

– Pediatric Emergency Medicine

– Pediatric Nephrology (likely)

– Hematology/Oncology (likely)

– Thoracic Surgery (likely)


How well does it work?

• ERAS 2004 Program Survey gave a satisfaction rating of 98%.

• 95% found the PDWS intuitive to use.

• Internal Medicine users are the power users of ERAS – all requests addressed.

• Positive feedback from ERAS Advisory Committee.


What should I be doing now?


1. Determine Equipment Needs

• Fairly recent computer

• Institutional internet connection

• High speed printer

For specifications:

www.aamc.org/eras


2. Update Program Materials

• Web site and/or brochure

• ERAS Fellowship Applicant Information Sheet

• Deadlines

• ERAS application materials– Common Application Form (CAF)

– Personal Statement

– Photograph

– Letters of Recommendation (up to four, including program director’s letter).

– USMLE and/or COMLEX Scores

– Dean’s letter / medical school transcript


3. Handle Applicant Calls

1) Using ERAS

2) ERAS web site: www.aamc.org/eras

3) E-mail FAIS

4) Requirements and deadlines.

5) No dual systems – Paper and ERAS


Then …

January to May 2005

Register your program with ERAS.

July, August & October 2005

Attend ERAS hands-on training.

November 2005

Install the Program Directors Workstation (PDWS)

December 1, 2005

Start downloading applications.

May 31, 2006 ERAS PostOffice closes.


How can ERAS make this a smooth transition for you?


December 1st Strategies

• Technical– Involve your IT staff in your ERAS planning

and implementation.– Install the PDWS for all reviewers and/or

interviewers.– Have IT staff on hand December 1st to help

with any issues.– If you want to print, get a high speed printer.



• Procedural– Determine your minimum criteria in advance.– What do you consider a high-flyer candidate?.– Determine your interview dates in advance.– Only accept ERAS applications.– Hold a session to brief your interviewers on

using the PDWS to view and evaluate application materials.



• Software– Use the test applicants to train interviewers

and get familiar with the PDWS.– Review applications on-screen.– Use filter/sorts to highlight best candidates

and eliminate worst candidates.– Record statuses in the PDWS.– Use PDWS bulk e-mail features to send

invitations quickly.– Print to PDF to distribute applications.


Contact us!

Moira Edwards

[email protected]

(202) 828-0508

ERAS Helpdesk

[email protected]

(202) 828-0413

ERAS® Information

Documents

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