The Association of a Research Year With Matching Into an Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency

The relationship between pursuing a research year (RY) and plastic surgery match outcomes is unclear. The present study investigated the association between a dedicated RY and the odds of matching into an integrated Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) residency program.

Electronic Residency Application Service applications to an integrated PRS residency program from 2017 to 2021 were evaluated. Match results were determined using online public sources. Students who had taken a RY were compared with those who had not (traditional). The relationship between pursuing a RY and matching was determined with logistic regression analyses.

In total, 974 applicants were included, of which 191 (20%) completed an RY. The RY group had significantly higher match rates (83% versus 74%, P = 0.008), more presentations (13 versus 5, P < 0.001), and more publications (11 versus 4, P < 0.001) than the traditional group. The RY group was 80% more likely to match than the traditional group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, P = 0.016). However, this benefit was eliminated after controlling for the number of publications. Subgroup analysis revealed that applicants who completed an RY had increased odds of matching into a top 20 PRS residency program (OR = 2.2, P < 0.001), with the strongest association observed among applicants with 15+ (OR = 2.6, P < 0.001) or 20+ publications (OR = 4.1, P < 0.001).

An RY is associated with 80% higher odds of matching and an increased number of publications. RYs seem to be most associated with benefits for applicants aiming to increase their publication numbers or to match into a top 20 residency program.