COVID-19 and the Otolaryngology Match: An Increase in Applicants Remaining Close to Home

Abstract

Introduction: Otolaryngology residency remains one of the most competitive surgical subspecialties to apply for with a 63% match rate in 2021. This is a difficult and stressful process for applicants in any given year, and it was even further complicated by restrictions mandated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) protections. Analyzing geographical trends in successfully matched applicants provides prospective applicants and programs with helpful information about how previous trends were affected by the pandemic as we look toward future match cycles. Methods: The medical schools of 1,587 successfully matched applicants from 2017-2021 were identified and compared to the 116 otolaryngology residency programs. Successful applicants’ medical school state and region were then compared to the location of their matched residency program state and region. From this, we evaluated the number of applicants matching at the residency program affiliated with their medical school or at a residency program within the same state or region as their home medical school. Results: A significant increase in the percentage of applicants matching at their home program and within their home state (p < 0.001) occurred in 2021 when compared to previous years. Applicants matching within their home region was not found to increase significantly (p = 0.43) in 2021 compared to previously. The regions with the greatest increase in the percentage of applicants matching to their home programs were the Northeast and Midwest (12% increase), while the Midwest had the largest increase in percentage of applicants matching within their home state (15%). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the otolaryngology match in 2021 with applicants and programs alike choosing to stay closer to home with their residency match selections. Overall, regional location remains a major determinant of future residency location for otolaryngology applicants, and this did not change significantly during 2021, but applicants matched more frequently at their home medical school program. It is anticipated that the match process will be similar in 2022 given the ongoing pandemic, so the importance of home program and region will likely be emphasized again.

Geographic Trends in the Neurosurgery Match During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…This was surprising as previous studies demonstrate the rate of HP matching had a statistically significant increase for other competitive specialties, including plastic surgery (8.3% increase), dermatology (9.1% increase), and otolaryngology (10% increase). [6][7][8][9] Limitations Data were collected from residency program websites and social media accounts, which was the main limitation of this study. Positions that were back-filled, research years, visiting student rotations, and other connections residents may have had to their eventual matched location were also not accounted for.…”

“…This was surprising as previous studies demonstrate the rate of HP matching had a statistically significant increase for other competitive specialties, including plastic surgery (8.3% increase), dermatology (9.1% increase), and otolaryngology (10% increase). 6-9…”

“…4,5 Prior studies have shown the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic had on resident match location in 2021 in 3 similarly competitive specialties: plastic surgery, dermatology, and otolaryngology; all 3 specialties had an increase in resident matching within their home programs. 6-9…”

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Expenses of Medical Students Applying to Otolaryngology Residency Programs

“…At the beginning of the pandemic, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) stated that all residency interviews should be transitioned to a virtual platform, which has continued into the 2022-2023 application cycle [7]. Although this change financially benefited applicants, a recent study indicated that otolaryngology applicants who were interviewed virtually were significantly more likely to match within their geographic region as compared to prior to the pandemic [8]. As a result of the numerous changes implemented throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant transition to virtual platforms.…”

Plastic Surgery Match Trends in 2022

“…T he plastic surgery match in 2021 demonstrated increased matching at home programs, a trend that was reflected in other competitive subspecialties, including otolaryngology and dermatology. [1][2][3] In 2021, there was an 8% increase in home matches. This was thought to be largely due to restrictions in the 2021 cycle; specifically, applicants were not able to do away rotations, and all interviews were performed virtually.…”