Analysis of the Advanced Choice of Employment (ACE) scheme for facilitation of first-year house officer appointments in New Zealand.
AIM: To determine the success of the Advanced Choice of Employment (ACE) scheme, a computerised matching system introduced to facilitate the recruitment of first-year house officers in New Zealand. METHODS: ACE data was examined for demographics and employment outcomes in 2003 and 2004. Qualitative satisfaction was assessed via email survey of trainee intern applicants in 2003. RESULTS: All first-year house officer positions were filled within one round of matching. New Zealand trainee intern graduates were more successful than other applicant groups. The majority of successful applicants were employed by their most preferred hospital and 96% in one of their top four choices in both years. Tertiary centres were preferred over secondary centres. Survey demonstrated generally high satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The ACE scheme proved highly efficient and successfully accounted for applicant preferences. In addition, the emergence of centralised application data may improve workforce planning and increase retention of graduates.