Trends of Rising Research Production Among Otolaryngology Residency Applicants

Introduction: As competitiveness to obtain a residency position in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (OTO-HNS) has continued to rise, applicants have endeavored to set themselves apart. One strategy we explore here is the maximization of research production.

Methods: Primary data was obtained from the National Resident Matching Program’s Biennial Charting Outcomes in the Match reports from 2016 to 2022 for MD OTO-HNS applicants. Metrics of board scores (Step 1 and Step 2), research experiences, research output (mean number of abstracts, presentations, and publications), work experiences, and volunteer experiences were compared across years. In addition, the number of 1-year research fellowships available to OTO-HNS applicants was determined by examining online forums such as Otomatch and postings on OTO-HNS department webpages.

Results: There were incremental increases between 2016 and 2022 for matched MD applicants in Step 1 scores (2 point mean increase), Step 2 scores (4 points), research experiences (2.2), work experiences (1) and volunteer experiences (1.8). The research output increased from 8.4 in 2016 to 17.2 in 2022. We were able to identify 3 postings for research fellowships in 2018, compared to 29 fellowships offering a total of 68 positions as of November 1, 2023.

Conclusions: Medical students may feel that research is an area where placing additional time and resources can translate into a quantifiable edge. In only 6 years, research production among OTO-HNS matched MD applicants more than doubled. This coincides with the exponential surge of new research fellowships among OTO-HNS departments, which may partially justify the rise in research production. Other explanations include a preference by programs towards research-heavy applicants and applicants possibly inflating research metrics in recent years. Given an inability for all applicants to undertake a research fellowship and a lack of research resources especially for applicants without a home program, the utility of research production as a central metric to the application process and as a predictor of resident success should be further examined.