Trends in successfully matched neurosurgery residency applicants

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Neurosurgery Residency Admissions

Background:

• The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 recently transitioned to a pass/fail outcome.
• This change has renewed interest in how neurosurgical residency programs select candidates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between neurosurgical residency match status and key academic metrics over time.
• To analyze trends in academic achievements for matched and unmatched neurosurgery applicants.

Main Methods:

• Utilized National Resident Matching Program data from 2009-2022 for US allopathic (MD) seniors.
• Employed multiple linear regression to assess variations in academic metrics (USMLE scores, research, publications, experiences) between matched and unmatched groups over time.

Main Results:

• Neurosurgery applicants demonstrated increases in USMLE Step 1 and 2 scores, research experiences, publications, and other experiences.
• Differences in USMLE Step 2 scores between matched and unmatched applicants diminished over time, while differences in publications increased.

Conclusions:

• Neurosurgical residency applicants' achievements have risen significantly across multiple metrics.
• The USMLE Step 1 pass/fail transition may necessitate a re-evaluation of selection criteria, as Step 2 is not a direct replacement.
• This presents an opportunity to consider other factors for predicting success in neurosurgical residency.