The departmental advisor's effect on medical students' confidence when the advisor evaluates or recruits for their own program during the match.

Background: Departmental advisors who also serve on residency selection committees at their institutions have a dual role as advisor and evaluator of residency applicants.

Purpose: This study explores this dual role and its effect on medical students' confidence in the advising relationship.

Methods: A secure, anonymous questionnaire was made available online to 1,362 graduating medical students from ten U.S. medical schools who participated in the 2001 match.

Results: Of the 740 respondents (54.3% response rate), 349 (47.2%) met with a departmental advisor at their medical school. Most (212 or 60.7%) had departmental advisors who also served on a residency selection committee. These applicants reported feeling significantly less comfortable with their advisors and were significantly more likely to make misleading statements during the match.

Conclusions: Applicants whose departmental advisors serve on a residency selection committee have less confidence in the advising relationship. These interactions may have adverse effects on the clinical and professional development of medical students.