Author(s)
Milind Vasudev, BS
Ashley Lonergan, MD
Shannen Guarina, BS
Pranav S. Nair, BS
Edward Kuan, MD, MBA
Brian Wong, MD PhD
Affiliation(s)
Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Orange, CA, USA
Abstract:
Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to understand the trends in interviewed otolaryngology residency applicant gap years, academic metrics, and match success.
Objectives: Investigate the impact of gap years on otolaryngology applicants' overall match success.
Study Design: Retrospective cohort.
Methods: We reviewed 580 interviewed otolaryngology electronic residency applications to a single program between 2004 and 2021. Gap year activities, academic metrics, and applicant demographics were codified. Univariate analysis compared gap year and non-gap year applicant characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression analyzed relationships between these components and overall match success.
Results: No significant difference was found in the proportion of applicants based on sex, race, or ethnicity (p-greater-than-0.05). Gap year applicants increased from 36% in 2004 to 85% in 2021, with average duration increasing from 0.9 to 1.8 years, respectively (r=0.77, p=0.001). 35% of gap year applicants completed research years, 25% obtained an additional degree, 10% worked in a healthcare related field, and 30% completed volunteer work, held a non-healthcare job, or pursued otherwise unspecified activities. Gap year applicants outperformed non-gap year counterparts in USMLE step 2 scores (253.0 vs 250.5, p=0.004) and published manuscripts, at the time of residency interview (11.5 vs 6.4, p=0.001). No difference was appreciated in the proportion of applicants matching into otolaryngology overall, at their home program, or within the same geographic region between gap and non-gap year interviewees, nor were specific predictors of overall match into otolaryngology identified (p=0.100).
Conclusions: Gap years are increasing in frequency among interviewed otolaryngology applicants, correlating with greater research output and higher USMLE step 2 scores. Historically, gap year applicants have not demonstrated greater match success, but the decision to take a gap must be weighed in the context of a new Pass/Fail USMLE step 1.