Laryngoscope. 2022 Jan 17. doi: 10.1002/lary.30028. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To quantify the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic upon the 2020-21 residency match for Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS).
METHODS: Residency match outcomes for all applicants to our institution during 2020-2021 were collected from the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) including medical school of origin and matched program. Matches were categorized as to home-program, within-region, or out-of-region, and sorted by US geographic region. Matches from the 2020-2021 cycle were compared to those from 2019-2020, as well as averages and trends from match cycles 2016-2020. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square testing.
RESULTS: During 2020-2021, there were 436 applicants to our single OHNS program. From 2019-20 to 2020-21, the match rate decreased significantly for groups studied, including: All applicants (72.0% (268/372) to 64.7% (282/436); p = 0.025); All US MD Senior applicants (76.5% (254/332) to 68.9% 262/380); p = 0.024); and US MD Seniors specifically without a home program (77.5% (31/40) to 56.4% (22/39); p = 0.046). The match rate for US MD Seniors with a home program did not change significantly (76.4% (223/292) to 70.4% (240/341); p = 0.09). From 2019-20 to 2020-21, the proportion of US MD Seniors who matched to home-program increased significantly (22.0% (49/223) to 30.0% (72/240); p = 0.05).
CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic saw high volumes of OHNS applicants with an overall decreased rate of matching compared to previous years. These changes particularly affected applicants without home programs. Home-program matching increased significantly, likely as a consequence of the limitations placed on in-person away experiences including interviews.
PMID:35038190 | DOI:10.1002/lary.30028
