(0245) Promoting Diversity in Otolaryngology Residency Programs: Underrepresented in Medicine Funding for Visiting Medical Student Electives

Introduction: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) is one of the most selective and least diverse medical specialties, with few trainees identifying as underrepresented in medicine (URiM). To increase diversity of the OHNS workforce, residency programs are implementing various strategies, including mentorship programs, holistic application review, and funding opportunities. To date, little is known about the prevalence and level of URiM funding for visiting medical student clerkships in OHNS.

Methods: We conducted a manual comprehensive review of every ACGME-accredited OHNS residency program and their associated medical schools as of January 20, 2024. For each residency program, at least two authors captured whether there was funding for away rotations, the funding amount, whether the funding was sponsored by OHNS or a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office or similar organization, as well as captured descriptive information on eligibility criteria.

Results: Of 131 total OHNS residency programs, 49 (37.4%) programs had away rotation funding for URiM students. Funding was sponsored by either a DEI entity (33 programs, 67.3%) or the OHNS department (16 programs, 32.7%). The mean amount of funding was $1,908 per 1-month rotation. In terms of eligibility for funding, 31 (63.3%) programs utilized a broad, non-specific definition of URiM, 25 (51.1%) specified additional criteria (e.g. LGBTQIA+, women, those demonstrating a commitment to diversity), 9 (18.4%) specified the Association of American Colleges’ (AAMC) definition of URiM, and 7 (14.2%) delineated students from specific racial and ethnic groups.

Conclusions: A minority of OHNS residency programs have funding opportunities to promote diversity in the future otolaryngology workforce. There is substantial variability in funding amount and eligibility criteria to offset the costs incurred by URiM students during visiting electives at OHNS residency programs. Additionally, both students and medical institutions would gain from more nuanced guidance provided by the AAMC regarding the contemporary definition and characteristics of URiM students.