Residency Match Rates Research Articles

Residency preparation elective courses (and other factors) as predictors of pharmacy residency match rates

IntroductionThe current demand for pharmacy residencies far exceeds supply. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if presence of a pharmacy residency elective course has an effect on the American Society of Health System Pharmacists Residency Matching Program (“the Match”) rates. MethodsData from the 2018 residency match were collected. Independent variables such as presence of a residency preparation elective course, residency track availability, school's affiliation with a residency program, interest in residency (as measured by the number of students enrolled in the Match divided by the number of degrees conferred), age of pharmacy school, first-time 2018 North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination pass rates, number of degrees conferred in 2018, funding status, and geographic region were analyzed to determine factors that could affect or had an association with match rates. ResultsFrom 139 accredited pharmacy schools, data from 135 schools of pharmacy were included in this study. The match rate for schools with a residency preparation elective course compared to those without was 61% and 62%, respectively. Following univariate linear regression analysis, availability of a residency course did not significantly affect residency match rates. The covariates of geographic region and funding source were significantly predictive of residency match success. ConclusionsThe presence of a residency preparation elective course in the curriculum did not have a significant effect on 2018 match rates when accounting for various variables. It is uncertain whether enrollment in such an elective would have an effect on match rates.

Development of an evidence-based residency preparation checklist using a Delphi process.

To develop an evidence-based tool that will provide concise guidance to pharmacy students who want to become competitive postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) residency applicants. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify articles describing student or school factors and specific interventions or activities associated with improved or decreased residency match rates, as well as studies describing residency program directors' (RPDs') or preceptors' perceptions of qualified applicants. An initial checklist was developed, with an item for each relevant factor. A consensus on checklist items was built through a 2-round Delphi process with a panel of RPDs. Ultimately, items that received a median score of at least 5 on a 7-point scale with less than one-third of the ratings being a 1, 2, or 3 were included. The initial checklist of 34 items, primarily related to grade point average, professional involvement, work experience, or professional development, was evaluated by a panel of 25 RPD participants. Six of 34 items (18%) were reevaluated in round 2, along with 1 added item and 4 items substantively modified based on comments; 2 items were merged. Ultimately, 33 items met the criteria for consensus and were included in the final checklist. A checklist of items to guide prospective pharmacy residency applicants was developed through a systematic literature search and verified by program directors using a Delphi process.

Promoting Career Selection Through a Comprehensive Enrichment Experience: A Review of the Canadian Radiation Oncology Summer Studentship

The impact that early clinical exposure to radiation oncology has on medical students' understanding of oncology and career choice is understudied. This study aims to review the experience and outcomes of medical students who participated in the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology-Canadian Radiation Oncology Foundation 6-week summer studentship. Medical students who participated in the nationally funded studentship from 2014 to 2018 were asked to fill out a survey after completing the program. The survey asked about student experience related to radiation oncology before the studentship, student satisfaction with the studentship (scale of 1-5; 5 = outstanding, 3 = meets expectations, 1 = unsatisfactory), and student willingness to recommend itto other students (scale of 1-10; 1 = strongly disagree, 5 = neutral, 10 = strongly agree). The effect of studentship on interest in the specialty was assessed (scale of 1-10; 1 = strongly disagree, 5 = neutral, 10 = strongly agree), including intent to direct their career toward radiation oncology. Match rates to radiation oncology residency are reported for students who participated in the studentship from 2013 to2016. All 31 students responded to the survey. Overall, the program was highly rated: inclusion of a broad range of clinical problems (mean = 4.6/5); opportunity to learn assessment, investigation, and management (mean = 4.2/5); and overall educational value (mean = 4.8/5). Poststudentship, most students reported an increased interest in oncology (76%, n = 22/29), and specifically radiation oncology (83%, n = 24/29). They would highly recommend this program to another medical student (mean = 9.8/10). The average percentage of these students entering a radiation oncology career (30.5%) each year was higher than national residency match rates in radiation oncology (0.7%). Clinical exposure to radiation oncology through a nationally funded Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology-Canadian Radiation Oncology Foundation summer studentship positively affected medical student interest in oncology. This study suggests a potential effect of the studentship program on career selection of radiation oncology.

Current Trends in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Applications and Match Rates.

The current U.S. orthopaedic residency application process is becoming increasingly impersonal in the wake of an increasing number of applications. Through an analysis of orthopaedic surgery residency application statistics, we have highlighted the effect that the number of orthopaedic applications has on match rate, and we have suggested methods for a more personalized application process. Data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for United States orthopaedic residency applicants from 2008 to 2018 were collected. These data included the average number of applications submitted per applicant, the average number of applications received per program, the total number of residency positions offered in the U.S., the total number of U.S. applicants, and the total number of U.S. applicants who matched to a U.S. orthopaedic surgery residency program. U.S. applicant match rates and the average number of applications received per residency position offered were calculated. Linear regression models were used to determine the rate at which these variables changed over time. The average number of applications submitted by an applicant increased from 46.5 in 2008 to 74.9 in 2018. The average number of applications received per residency position offered increased from 54.1 in 2008 to 85.7 in 2018. The number of U.S. applicants was 740 in 2008 and 849 in 2018. The number of U.S. orthopaedic residency programs only slightly increased from 160 in 2008 to 171 in 2018. The match rate for U.S. medical school applicants has remained stable from 2008 to 2018 at a mean of 76.9% and a standard deviation of 2.3%. The match rate has remained stable from 2008 to 2018 despite an increase in the number of applications per position. This discrepancy suggests that increasing the number of submitted applications may not correlate with applicant success. We address this discrepancy and suggest methods that can potentially allow for a more targeted orthopaedic application experience.

A Comparison of Student Outcomes Between Longitudinally and Traditionally Placed Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences

Objective. To compare performance outcomes of students completing a longitudinal pharmacy practice experience at a single site with those of students completing advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) at a variety of practice sites. Methods. Performance data and other meaningful outcomes from a cohort of students completing a six-month experience within a single health system (longitudinal group) were compared to data from a group of students completing six months of similar APPEs at multiple health systems (control group). Results. Motivators for participating in the longitudinal program varied, with students in the program identifying practice interest alignment, schedule simplification, and desire to do a residency; and students choosing to not participate in identifying schedule flexibility and experience at a variety of practice sites. The 16 longitudinal students differed from the 20 control students at baseline in grade point average and the number of scheduled community pharmacy APPEs. Performance measures for longitudinal students and control students did not differ significantly, but the difference between students' self-perceived effort and preceptor perception of student effort was significantly different for control students compared to longitudinal students. Residency match rates and number of students receiving recognition for high academic performance were similar in the two groups. Conclusion. Students participating in the longitudinal program had different motivators but comparable outcomes to students who completed similar APPEs at a variety of practice sites.

Assessment of the Medical Schools Radiation Oncology Residents Come fom Suggests A Reasonable Approach for Diversifying the Workforce

The US radiation oncology (RO) workforce has significant underrepresentation of women, African Americans, and Latinos compared to the US population and medical school (MS) graduates. Our hypothesis is that this reflects inadequate RO exposure and mentoring for these students. Our objective was to better understand how MS and RO department demographics correlate with MS-specific residency match rates in RO. The ASTRO directory was used to search all RO physicians that self-identified as a “resident” and listed their MS. This included 507 residents, of which 36 who attended osteopathic or international schools were excluded. Demographic information for all 147 allopathic US medical schools and any on-site affiliated RO department and residency program was also collected from other freely accessible web resources. Spearman’s rank-order and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for correlative analyses. A total of 100 schools (68%) had an affiliated RO department and 81 (55%) had a RO residency program. There was a median of 9 faculty members (interquartile range (IQR) 5 - 15) per RO department, with a median of 2 female faculty (IQR 1 - 5) and 0 African American or Latino faculty per department (IQR 0 - 1). In total, 26.5% of all US RO academic faculty were women and 4.4% African American or Latino. The median percentage of students per MS that matched in a RO residency was 0.4% (IQR 0.2 - 0.7%), and the median percentage of all US RO residents that came from each MS was 0.6% (IQR 0.2 - 1.1%). Both of these percentages were significantly higher when there was an affiliated RO department (p < 0.01) or RO residency program (p < 0.01), and for RO departments with more faculty members (rs = 0.45 and 0.43, p < 0.01), but there was no significant association with any MS factors assessed (percentages of women or underrepresented minority students, or average matriculating student MCAT scores or GPA). RO residents’ ethnicity could not be determined for analysis, however, the number of female RO faculty in a department predicted for significantly more female RO residents graduating from that MS (rs = 0.35, p<0.01), and the top quartile of RO departments with the most female faculty were affiliated with schools that graduated 49% of all female RO residents. Only 57 US RO residents (12%) graduated from the 47 schools without an affiliated RO department, whereas the 25 schools that graduated the highest percentage of US RO residents accounted for 46% of all RO residents. The proportion of students at a given MS that match into RO is strongly associated with affiliation to a larger RO department and residency program. As such, the majority of RO residents come from a select number of schools. Targeted education and mentoring outreach initiatives for schools with fewer affiliated RO faculty should be considered in order to help diversify the workforce.

Longitudinal Associations Between Grit, Academic Outcomes, and Residency Match Rates Among Pharmacy Students

Objective. To characterize Grit-S scores in pharmacy students, determine whether Grit-S scores change within individual pharmacy students and cohorts over time, and investigate the relationship between Grit-S scores, academic outcomes, and professional outcomes. Methods. A survey was conducted in fall 2016 and again in fall 2017 to determine Grit-S scores in first- through fourth-year pharmacy students. Participant demographic variables, grade point average (GPA), advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) ratings, and residency match results were collected. Results. Over the study period, 852 survey responses were completed by 85% of students surveyed. The mean Grit-S scores of each cohort ranged from 3.5 to 3.7 (on a 5-point scale with 5 representing the highest level of grit). Underrepresented minorities had slightly higher Grit-S scores and first-generation college students had slightly lower Grit-S scores. Two hundred eighty-seven students responded to both the 2016 and 2017 surveys. Among these paired responses, small but significant changes in individual Grit-S scores over time that varied in direction and magnitude by school year were noted. Higher Grit-S scores were not associated with higher GPA or superior APPE performance, nor were they predictive of a student matching to a postgraduate pharmacy residency. Conclusion. Significant associations between grit and measures of academic or professional achievement were not detected in this pharmacy student cohort. The presence of small but significant changes in Grit-S scores over time, in the absence of any intervention, has implications that further research should be conducted in this area.

Effect of Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience Grading Scheme on Residency Match Rates

Objective. To examine the effect of advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) grading schemes on residency match rates. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was administered to U.S. pharmacy schools and colleges to determine an APPE grading scheme. Post-graduate year 1 residency match data for the years 2013-2015 was obtained from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Additional variables thought to affect residency match rates were collected from publicly available sources and prior research. Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to compare 2013-2015 residency match rates between institutions using letter grading and those using pass/fail grading schemes. Potential confounders for incorporation into the adjusted model were identified by Chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results. There were 110 of 126 schools that responded to the survey. Of these, 100 schools reported using either letter grading or pass/fail grading schemes in APPE courses and were included in the study. Unadjusted analysis revealed no difference in match rates between letter grading and pass/fail grading schemes over the aggregated time frame or in individual years. After adjusting for potential confounders, pass/fail grading was associated with higher match rates in the aggregate analysis and in 2013. However, no association was observed in 2014 or 2015. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that there is limited difference in residency match rates between schools using pass/fail or letter grading schemes in APPEs.

Longitudinal Continuity Learning Experiences and Primary Care Career Interest: Outcomes from an Innovative Medical School Curriculum.

Medical students in the USA have negative perceptions of primary care careers, which are exacerbated by the hidden curriculum and medical school culture. Longitudinal integrated clerkships (LICs) have shown promise in ameliorating this situation by promoting student/preceptor continuity relationships and helping students maintain empathy. The aim of this study is to describe the Student Continuity of Practice Experience (SCOPE) program and demonstrate program outcomes using evaluation data from residency match results, course evaluations, and student grades. University of Texas Medical Branch, an academic health center in Galveston, Texas. Undergraduate medical students. Learners participate in a longitudinal curriculum designed to enhance their skills as primary care physicians. They regularly attend continuity clinic, establishing a panel of patients by their third year. Students receive frequent feedback from a faculty mentor on assignments and clinical performance. SCOPE students have high primary care residency match rates and experience patient continuity rates comparable to an intern. Their interest in primary care increases between years one and three, a departure from typical medical student trends. SCOPE appears to promote and maintain primary care career interest in participants and has transferability to other institutions.

Pharmacy Residency School-wide Match Rates and Modifiable Predictors in ACPE-accredited Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy

Objective. To analyze the modifiable predictors of institution-wide residency match rates. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of colleges and schools of pharmacy data and school-wide PGY-1 pharmacy residency match rates for 2013 through 2015. Independent variables included NAPLEX passing rates, history of ACPE probation, NIH funding, academic health center affiliation, dual-degree availability, program length, admit-to-applicant ratio, class size, tuition, student-driven research, clinically focused academic tracks, residency affiliation, U.S. News & World Report rankings, and minority enrollment. Results. In a repeated measures model, predictors of match results were NAPLEX pass rate, class size, academic health center affiliation, admit-to-applicant ratio, U.S. News & World Report rankings, and minority enrollment. Conclusion. Indicators of student achievement, college/school reputation, affiliations, and class demographics were significant predictors of institution-wide residency match rates. Further research is needed to understand how changes in these factors may influence overall match rates.

Non-modifiable determinants of pharmacy residency match rates.

The purpose of this study was to examine non-modifiable pharmacy program characteristics on residency match rates. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists match and non-match lists were de-identified and evaluated for students graduating in 2015. Variables analysed included length of program, type of institution and didactic grading scheme. Students from 4-year programs, attending a public institution, or using a grade point average had greater odds of matching. Logistic regression model indicated a good model fit (χ2 (2) of 4.44, P = 0.108). Students considering residency training may benefit from awareness of such factors when choosing a pharmacy program.

Role of Residency Interview Preparatory Activities as a Determinant on Pharmacy Residency Match Rates

Purpose: Different strategies have been implemented to assist students in securing residency positions. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of student participation in residency preparation activities on match rates. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted to explore the effect of participation in residency preparation activities and grade point average (GPA) on residency match rate. Match rates for students participating in the Residency Interview Preparation Seminar (RIPS) or mock interviews (ie, intervention group) were compared with students who participated in neither activity (ie, control group). Results: A total of 118 individuals were included in the comparison. Forty-eight students participated in RIPS (n = 29) or mock interviews (n = 19), while 70 students were in the control group. The intervention group had a statistically larger proportion of students securing residency than the control group (81% vs 57%; P = .009). Match rates between students enrolled in RIPS versus those in the mock interview group were not significant. No statistically significant differences were observed based on GPA. Conclusion: Students receiving additional preparation prior to interviews when seeking postdoctoral training were significantly more likely to obtain a residency position. In academic settings with limited resources, mock interviews may be preferred over comprehensive preparatory courses.

Institution-Specific Factors Associated With Family Medicine Residency Match Rates

ABSTRACTPhenomenon: Existing research provides little specific evidence regarding the association between public and private medical school curricular settings and the proportion of medical students matching into family medicine careers. Institutional differences have been inadequately investigated, as students who match into family medicine are often consolidated into the umbrella of primary care along with those matching in internal medicine and pediatrics. However, understanding medical school contexts in relation to career choice is critical toward designing targeted strategies to address the projected shortage of family physicians. This study examines factors associated with family medicine residency match rates and the extent to which such factors differ across medical school settings. Approach: We combined data from a survey of 123 departments of family medicine with graduate placement rates reported to the American Academy of Family Physicians over a 2-year period. Chi-square/Fisher's Exact texts, t tests, and linear regression analyses were used to identify factors significantly associated with average match rate percentages. Findings: The resulting data set included 85% of the U.S. medical schools with Departments of Family Medicine that reported 2011 and 2012 residency match rates in family medicine. Match rates in family medicine were higher among graduates of public than private medical schools—11% versus 7%, respectively, t(92) = 4.00, p < .001. Using a linear regression model and controlling for institutional type, the results indicated 2% higher match rates among schools with smaller annual clerkship enrollments (p = .03), 3% higher match rates among schools with clerkships lasting more than 3 to 4 weeks (p = .003), 3% higher match rates at schools with at least 1 family medicine faculty member in a senior leadership role (p = .04), and 8% lower match rates at private medical schools offering community medicine electives (p < .001, R2 = .48), F(6, 64) = 9.95, p < .001. Three additional factors were less strongly related and varied by institutional type—informal mentoring, ambulatory primary care learning experiences, and institutional research focus. Insights: Educational opportunities associated with higher match rates in family medicine differ across private and public medical schools. Future research is needed to identify the qualitative aspects of educational programming that contribute to differences in match rates across institutional contexts. Results of this study should prove useful in mitigating physician shortages, particularly in primary care fields such as family medicine.

Pharmacy Residency Match Rates and Predictors

To determine acceptance rates to postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residencies and examine the impact of several variables on acceptance rate. Residency match data for every US college and school of pharmacy with a graduating class between 2008 and 2011 were sorted by graduating class and applicant match rates into PGY1 residency programs. Data were analyzed to determine factors influencing PGY1 match rates. The graduating class match rate to PGY1 residencies was 14.2% for all colleges and schools, 16.0% for public colleges and schools, and 12.6% for private colleges and schools. Colleges and schools with a first graduating class greater than 20 years ago matched 16.7% of students to residency programs. Whether the college or school was public rather than private was an influencing factor on both graduating class and applicant match rates. Years since first graduating class influenced applicant match rate only.

Study of Selected Outcomes of Medical Students Who Fail USMLE Step 1

Purpose: Passage of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) is required to obtain a medical license in the United States. Currently the majority of US medical schools require passage of USMLE Step 1 for either promotion to the third year or graduation from medical school. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (VCUSOM) requires that students take the USMLE but does not require passing of USMLE Step 1 for promotion or graduation. This policy enabled the authors to analyze performance outcomes during clinical rotations and monitor the residency match for a group of students who failed USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt.Methods: Third year clerkship grades and residency match results were reviewed for 64 students of the graduating classes of 1999-2005 who failed Step 1 on the first attempt. An equal number of students who passed Step 1 were randomly selected from each class as a comparison group. Average clinical performance ratings, NBME subject exam scores and final third year clerkship grades for the two groups were compared. Residency match rates and specialty certification were also compared.Results: The USMLE Fail Group had more Pass and fewer Honors clerkship grades than the comparison group. Subject exam scores were significantly lower in the USMLE Fail Group in all clerkships. Clinical performance ratings were significantly lower in the Fail group in three out of six clerkships: Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry. However, 82% of the USMLE Fail Group later passed USMLE Step 1 and 2. Fifty-nine of the 64 students in the USMLE Fail Group matched for a residency, whereas all of the students in the Pass Group matched for a residency.Conclusion: Students who fail USMLE Step 1 have lower final clerkship grades due in part to lower NBME subject exam scores. The majority of these students, however, successfully pass USMLE Step 1 prior to graduation, go on to graduate medical training, and become board certified in their specialty.