Importance of Global Health Opportunities in Residency Selection Among Otolaryngology Applicants

Global health has become an increasing priority in medical training. In this cross-sectional study, we seek to evaluate the importance of a residency program's global health opportunities on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) applicants' residency selection.

The questionnaire was distributed via snowball sampling and an electronic residency professional forum to 2023 and 2024 United States OHNS residency applicants.

Of 52 complete responses, the mean participant age was 28.67 years (SD 2.40). The average rating of global health importance in residency selection was 2.45 on a 1-4 scale (SD 0.86). Among the most influential factors in residency selection were faculty mentorship (88.5%), prior resident involvement in global health activities (73.1%), and funding opportunities (71.2%). Motivations for engagement in global health included opportunities to learn about new cultures (75%), career interest in working in a domestic resource-constrained setting (59.6%), and career interest in working internationally (53.8%). 63.5% of respondents reported prior engagement in global health activities.

Global health opportunities can be an important factor in OHNS applicants' residency selection. Mentorship, funding, and institutional support for global health may attract applicants with an interest in working in resource-limited settings.