Does Objective Scoring of Applications for Radiology Residency Affect Diversity?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Radiology Residency Admissions
• Diversity in Medicine

Background:

• Assessing radiology residency applicants involves evaluating academic performance, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, and research productivity.
• Ensuring equitable selection processes for trainees from under-represented groups is crucial for fostering diversity in medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if objective scoring of radiology residency applications, including USMLE scores, impacts the selection of female and under-represented minority (URM) candidates.
• To investigate whether quantifiable metrics in application review create disparities in candidate selection.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 502 radiology residency applications from three consecutive match cycles.
• Applications were scored based on academic performance, USMLE results, and research productivity.
• Statistical comparisons were made between male and female applicants, and between URM and non-URM candidates. USMLE cutoff score effects were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• While no significant differences were found in academic performance or research productivity between genders, males scored higher in USMLE Step 1 and overall scores.
• URM candidates showed no significant difference in academic performance compared to non-URM candidates.
• Non-URM applicants achieved higher mean scores in USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2, research productivity, and overall scores. USMLE cutoff scores disproportionately affected female and URM candidates.

Conclusions:

• Objective scoring criteria and USMLE cutoff scores in radiology residency applications may inadvertently disadvantage female and URM candidates.
• Screening filters used in residency selection can significantly influence the diversity of the applicant pool.