In this Section:
ERAS Data Policy
The AAMC and the ERAS program recognize the importance of responsibly collecting and guarding the information we receive from our users. The AAMC has developed these data policy guidelines to prevent the exposure of confidential personal data without the individual’s permission.
Use of ERAS Source Documentation
The ERAS program strives to transmit source documentation via the ERAS system. This requires that Designated Dean’s Offices receive supporting documents that are created by the original author/owner. Designated Dean’s Office staff who transmit these documents to training programs via the ERAS system should, for example, provide medical school transcripts and Medical School Performance Evaluations (MSPEs) issued directly from the medical school. Reproductions of PDWS documentation from previous ERAS application seasons do not qualify as acceptable source documentation. Designated Dean’s Offices have been instructed not to accept printed PDWS documents for transmission via the ERAS system.
The ERAS program prohibits the use of ERAS documents received through the PDWS for any other purpose than to review and evaluate an applicant for a training position. These documents may not be printed, faxed, emailed or otherwise transmitted to any individual or organization that is not associated with securing your training position at your institution. Documentation received via the PDWS may be used only for the review and evaluation of an applicant for a training position.
ERAS Integrity Promotion Program
The AAMC is dedicated to promoting integrity in graduate medical education and advocates high standards during the application process. The ERAS program has developed an Integrity Promotion Program to encourage these high standards for those engaged in the residency and fellowship application and selection process, to educate users about expectations of behavior, and to investigate allegations of fraudulent or unethical behavior.
Over the past few years, an increasing number of fraudulent application allegations has been reported to the ERAS program by applicants, Designated Dean’s Offices, and training programs. Neither applicants nor programs benefit from unethical behavior in the application process, and the program discourages this behavior. The ERAS Integrity Promotion Program was created to promote integrity in the process among all participants.
The ERAS Integrity Promotion Program has two components:
- The ERAS Integrity Promotion — Education is intended to educate ERAS users about ethical application behavior and outline irregular behavior considered unethical that could lead to an investigation.
- The ERAS Integrity Promotion — Investigation outlines the steps in the process, should a user become the subject of an ERAS investigation, as well as the consequences of a positive finding.