ERAS Data Policy
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) 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 prior permission of the individual.
Use of ERAS Source Documentation
ERAS 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 ERAS should receive, for example, provide medical school transcripts and MSPEs issued directly from the medical school. Reproductions of Program Director’s Workstation (PDWS) documentation from prior 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.
ERAS prohibits the use of ERAS documents received through the PDWS for any other purpose. These documents may not be printed, faxed, e-mailed or otherwise transmitted to any individual or organization that is not associated with securing the applicant’s training position at your institution. Documentation received via the PDWS may only be used 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. ERAS has developed an Integrity Promotion Program to encourage these high standards for those engaged in the residency and fellowship application and selection process. As such, ERAS has developed this program to educate users regarding expectations of behavior and to investigate allegations of fraudulent or unethical behavior.
Over the past few years, an increasing number of fraudulent application allegations have been reported to ERAS by applicants, Designated Dean's Offices, and training programs. Neither applicants nor programs benefit from unethical behavior in the application process; and to the extent possible, ERAS discourages this behavior. ERAS' Integrity Promotion Program was created to promote integrity in the process among all participants.