OBJECTIVE: 1) Examine attrition within a defined cohort of otolaryngology residents through a web-based survey of program directors. 2) Compare and contrast attrition within otolaryngology residency to that within other medical fields. METHOD: A web-based survey was sent to 97 otolaryngology residency program directors regarding a five-year cohort of residents (intern class of 2000 through the intern class of 2004). Residents who did not complete their programs were noted. Additional questions examined if the attrition was voluntary or involuntary, contributing factors which led to attrition and the ultimate career path of the resident. Rate and nature of attrition were investigated and compared with that of other medical fields. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 61% (59 of 97 programs) representing 779 of 1239 training positions (63%). 42% of programs (25 of 59) lost a total of 47 residents (range 1 to 7, mode 1). The overall attrition rate was 6% for the 5 year period (47 of 779) or 1.2% annually. Involuntary attrition affected 6 residents, all of whom switched into other medical fields. Twenty-eight additional residents voluntarily left their programs (4 left the practice of medicine). The remaining 13 residents career paths were not further described. CONCLUSION: The calculated overall attrition rate in otolaryngology residency is 6%. This compares favorably with other surgical fields. Overall attrition rates in general surgery range from 16.3% to 23%. Similar to general surgery, a small percentage of residents are dismissed and the majority of residents who leave their training programs remain in graduate medical education. Programs may strive to improve the selection process and applicant interview to minimize attrition.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.