Abstract
Residency applications have increased in the last decade, creating growing challenges for applicants and programs. We evaluated factors associated with application and match into obstetrics and gynecology residency. During the annual in-training examination administered to all obstetrics and gynecology residents in the United States, residents were surveyed on the residency application process. Ninety-five percent (5094 of 5347) residents responded to the survey. Thirty-six percent reported applying to 30 or fewer programs, 26.7% applied to more than 31 programs, and 37.1% opted not to answer this question. Forty-nine percent of residents received honors in their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship and 37.1% did not. The majority of residents (88.6%) reported scoring between 200 and 250 on USMLE Step 1. Eighty-six percent matched into one of their top 5 programs. The only factor associated with matching in residents' top 5 programs was receiving honors in their clerkship (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.08-1.54; P < .005). The only factor associated with matching below the top 5 programs was a couples match (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.43-0.72; P < .001). In choosing where to apply, residents identified program location and reputation as the most important factors, while for ranking, location and residency culture were the most important. Most obstetrics and gynecology residents reported matching into their top 5 choices. Receiving an honors grade in the clerkship was the only factor associated with matching in applicants' top 5 programs. Location was the most important factor for applying to and ranking of programs.
Highlights
The number of US medical school graduates applying to residency programs in all specialties accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has steadily increased over time,[1] and this correlates with an increased average number of applications per applicant.[2]
Participants were asked about their demographics and their residency applications: honors in their obstetrics and gynecology clerkship, United States Medical License Examination (USMLE) step 1 score, number of applications submitted, interview invitations received, interviews attended, and whether they matched in their top 5 or 10 choices
Of the remaining 5150 survey respondents, 45 (0.9%) were not residents and Objectives We sought to better understand the factors associated with the resident match in obstetrics and gynecology
Summary
The number of US medical school graduates applying to residency programs in all specialties accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has steadily increased over time,[1] and this correlates with an increased average number of applications per applicant.[2] This increase in applications challenges an already problematic system for all stakeholders. Program directors are faced with reviewing more applications in a narrow time interval. Applicants to all specialties, regardless of the perceived competitiveness of that specialty,[3] feel pressured to apply to more programs and attend more interviews creating potential inequities for applicants with less resources.[4,5] Medical students and their advisors struggle with determining the right mix of programs and ‘‘safe’’ numbers of applications to submit and interview invitations to accept. For. Residency applications have increased in the last decade, creating growing challenges for applicants and programs
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