Factors Affecting Admission to Anesthesiology Residency in the United States

Abstract

Background: Admission to an anesthesiology residency in the United States is competitive, and the odds associated with a successful match based on the applicants' characteristics have not been determined. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with admission to anesthesiology residency in the United States. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort evaluation of the 2010 to 2011 residency applicants. Applicants' characteristics and objective factors used to select trainees were extracted. The primary outcome was a successful match to an anesthesiology residency. Data were analyzed using conditional inference tree analysis and propensity score matching. Results: Data available from 1,976 applications were examined corresponding to 58% of the national sample. The odds (99% CI) for successful match were 3.6 (3.1-4.2) for U.S. medical school graduates, 2.6 (2.3 to 3.0) for applicants with United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 scores more than 210, and 1.2 (1.1 to 1.3) for female applicants. The odds (99% CI) for a successful match for international and U.S. graduate applicants younger than 29 yr was 3.3 (2.0-5.4) and (1.9 to 4.2), respectively, even after propensity matching for medical school, exam scores, and gender. The average applicant had no peer-reviewed scholarly productivity. Conclusion: Although anesthesiology residency acceptance was primarily associated with U.S. medical school attendance and United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 scores, our study suggest an influence of age and gender bias in the selection process. Peer-reviewed scholarly production among applicants and prior graduate education did not appear to influence candidate selection.

Selection of subspecialty fellows in anesthesia for pediatric anesthesia: a national survey of program directors in the United States

“…Our group has previously demonstrated that research is not an important factor in the selection of future anesthesiology residents (4). Similar to the current study, our prior work also revealed that standardized testing scores are highly valuable for future applicants seeking to be admitted.…”

“…These studies are important because they provide valuable information for future applicants and guide selection policies that can shape the future of the specific specialty. Our group has previously demonstrated that research accomplishments were not an important factor to select medical students applying to anesthesiology residency in the United States (4). This study has resulted in large discussion on the need to attract more research-oriented applicants to the anesthesiology field (5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Gender disparity among US anaesthesiologists: are women underrepresented in academic ranks and scholarly productivity?

“…In a study evaluating 1976 applicants for anaesthesiology residency during the admission years of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011, it was determined that only 36% of applicants were female, compared with 64% male. However, the odds ratio of acceptance was 1.2 (99% confidence interval, 1.1–1.3) for female applicants relative to male applicants . Female applicants from both US and international medical schools were more likely to be accepted than their male counterparts.…”

“…Women now represent half of American medical school graduates and 32% of all medical school faculty members . Acceptance into an anaesthesiology residency programme in the US has become increasingly competitive over the past decade . In a study evaluating 1976 applicants for anaesthesiology residency during the admission years of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011, it was determined that only 36% of applicants were female, compared with 64% male.…”

The effect of demographic characteristics, Country of birth and country of medical training on the peer evaluations of internal medicine resident physicians

“…Gender bias or disparity also has been described in research study applications in the United States and in the Netherlands [10,11]. Race, ethnicity, and country are interrelated potential biases that appear to influence evaluations of residency applicants and research quality reviews [12][13][14]. Age also may be a factor in decisions related to resident selection or other healthcare assessments [12,15].…”