The Rising Importance of Research Output in ENT Residency Applications Without Numeric Step 1 Scores

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Otolaryngology Research
• Residency Admissions

Background:

• The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 transitioned to a pass/fail scoring system.
• This change impacted how residency programs evaluate applicants, particularly in competitive fields like otolaryngology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in research output (RO) among otolaryngology residency applicants post-USMLE Step 1 pass/fail transition.
• To explore the implications of these trends on equity and the applicant experience.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Charting Outcomes in the Match reports from 2016 to 2022.
• Focus on average research items (abstracts, presentations, publications) for matched and unmatched otolaryngology applicants.

Main Results:

• Average research items for matched applicants rose from 8.4 (2016) to 17.2 (2022).
• In 2022, unmatched applicants reported 11.0 items, comparable to matched applicants in 2020.
• The increase in research output correlates with the USMLE Step 1 scoring change.

Conclusions:

• Increased emphasis on scholarly productivity by applicants and programs in response to USMLE Step 1 pass/fail.
• Concerns regarding equity arise, as applicants without strong research infrastructure face disadvantages.
• The otolaryngology community needs to re-evaluate the value of research output in admissions to ensure fairness.