Geographic Trends in the Otolaryngology Match (2016-2020)

Objective Presenting geographic matching trends over 5 match cycles (2016-2020) to serve as a context for changes in residency match outcomes due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Study Design Retrospective review. Setting Single academic institution-affiliated otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residency program. Methods Residency match outcomes for all applicants to our institution (2015-2019) were collected from the National Residency Matching Program, including medical school and matched program. Matches were categorized as home program, home region, or out of region and sorted by US geographic region. Statistical analysis included frequencies, totals, χ2 testing, and binary logistic regression. Results From 2016 to 2020, the US MD senior match rate was 84.9%: 18.9% to home programs, 35.7% to home region, and 45.3% to out of region. Rates were similar across regions and decreased over time. Westerners matched to home programs more than Southerners or Midwesterners (27.5% vs 16.0% and 16.0%, P < .01). Southerners and Westerners were more likely to match within their regions (South: 63.1%, P = .011, odds ratio [OR] = 1.296, 95% CI, 1.060-1.584; West: 42.0%, P = .018, OR = 1.462, 95% CI, 1.066-2.004). Matching from out of region was more likely in the West and less likely in the South (West: 58.0%, P = .017, OR = 1.379, 95% CI, 1.059-1.796; South: 36.9%, P < .001, OR = 0.584, 95% CI, 0.47-0.727). Conclusion From 2016 to 2020 in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, about 1 in 5 matches were to home institutions, a trend that appeared to be more common in the West. Over 4 out of 5 trainees match to nonhome programs, and nearly half relocate to a new region for training. Changes to travel, rotations, and interviews due to COVID-19 may influence these trends.

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Using a Systematic Approach to Teach Analysis of the Aging Face

OTO Open ◽

10.1177/2473974x211020251 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 2473974X2110202

Author(s):

Sunthosh Sivam ◽

Patrick Kim ◽

Clinton Humphrey ◽

J. David Kriet

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Neck Surgery ◽

Head And Neck Surgery ◽

Facial Aging ◽

Online Module ◽

Learning Module ◽

Aging Face ◽

Surgery Residency Program ◽

Control Study

Objective To assess the efficacy of a novel systematic approach aimed at improving a resident physician’s ability to perform analysis of the aging face. Study Design Prospective randomized case-control study. Setting Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery residency program. Methods Twenty otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residents were randomized into 2 groups with even representation in each postgraduate year level in each cohort. One group used traditional materials (textbooks), and the other group was given exclusive access to the online learning module featuring a systematic approach to aging-face analysis. Both groups completed preactivity, postactivity, and retention assessments to gauge their ability to perform a comprehensive analysis of the aging face. Results When compared with a matched control cohort, the residents who used the systematic approach performed more comprehensive facial aging assessments immediately after the intervention and at a retention time point. Conclusion A systematic approach delivered via an 11-minute online module can significantly improve a resident physician’s ability to perform analysis of the aging face. This systematic approach could be easily integrated into other online or traditional educational curriculums. Moreover, this methodology could be applied to additional areas in which residents have limited exposure but must develop expertise.

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