Objective Residency Applicant Assessment Using a Linear Rank Model

Shaffrey, Ellen C.; Moura, Steven P.; Wirth, Peter J.; Attaluri, Pradeep; Schappe, Alyssa; Edalatpour, Armin; Bentz, Michael L.; Rao, Venkat K.

doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2023.03.002

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Such pressures are only heightened in the wake of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 examination transitioning from a numeric score to pass/fail grading as students seek to distinguish themselves among a competitive applicant pool 42 . In light of these changes, programs have been forced to consider alternative methodologies of ranking applicants and looking to new metrics to differentiate students 5,43–46 . As plastic surgery applicants are evaluated, it is essential to consider how these metrics may exacerbate inequalities in the system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolving Plastic Surgery Applicant

Hemal,

Perez-Otero,

Boyd

et al. 2024

Ann Plast Surg

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Background Plastic surgery training has undergone tremendous change and transitioned through many models over the years, including independent, combined, and integrated. This study evaluates how these changes and others have affected plastic surgery applicants' demographics and academic qualifications over the last 30 years. Methods Data on applicant demographics and academic qualifications were extracted from multiple sources including the National Resident Matching Program, the American Association of Medical Colleges, and cross-sectional surveys of plastic surgery applicants for the years 1992, 2005, 2011, and 2022. Data were compared using pairwise χ2 goodness of fit tests. Results The sex distribution of plastic surgery applicants changed significantly over the last 30 years: whereas men predominated in 1992 (86% male vs 14% female), by 2011, the distribution was nearly equal (54% male vs 46% female in both 2011 and 2022, P < 0.001). The racial makeup of applicants also changed over time (P < 0.05). White applicants decreased from 73% in 1992 to 55% in 2011, and 53% in 2022. While there was an increase in Asian (7% to > 17% to > 20%) and other (13% to > 14% to > 21%) applicants over time, whereas the proportion of Black applicants remained stagnant (5% to > 6% to > 8%). Applicants with prior general surgery experience declined precipitously over the years: 96% in 1992, 64% in 2005, 37% in 2011, and 26% in 2022 (P < 0.001). When compared with 1992, Alpha Omega Alpha status increased significantly in 2011 (36% vs 12%, P < 0.05) but did not change considerably in 2005 (22%) and 2022 (23%). Research experience increased dramatically over the years, with the proportion of applicants with at least one publication going from 43% in 1992, to 75% in 2005, to 89% in 2011, and to 99% in 2022 (P < 0.001). Applicant interest in academic plastic surgery did not change considerably over the years at roughly ranging from 30% to 50% of applicants (P = ns). Conclusions There has been a shift in the demographics and academic qualifications of plastic surgery applicants over the last 3 decades. Understanding this evolution is critical for reviewing and evaluating the makeup of our specialty, and enacting changes to increase representation where necessary.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%