Poor Intentions or Poor Attention: Misrepresentation by Applicants to Psychiatry Residency

Objective: This study examines the veracity of self-reported data by applicants to psychiatry residency. Methods: The authors reviewed the reported publications of all applicants to a psychiatry residency training program over a 2-year span. Results: Nine percent of applicants reporting publications were found to have misrepresented them. International medical graduates were found to be more likely to have misrepresented their publications than U.S. medical graduates. Conclusion: A small but significant number of applicants to psychiatry residency training misrepresent their publications. Identification of misrepresentation may provide valuable information about the applicant and their future performance in training and practice.