Evaluation of Otolaryngology Residency and Faculty Demographics Following the Single Accreditation System

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) residency remains highly competitive, with persistent disparities in applicant representation. This study presents a cross-sectional analysis of OHNS residency and faculty demographics using 2025 program rosters, evaluating degree type (MD vs DO), geographic distribution, and leadership influence.

A cross-sectional review.

All US ACGME-accredited OHNS residency programs, with data collected in 2024 to 2025.

Demographic data were collected on OHNS faculty and residents, including post-graduate year (PGY) 1 through PGY5 trainees at the time of data collection, corresponding to entry years from 2020 to 2024 across all US ACGME-accredited residency programs. Data was extracted from official program websites, FREIDA, ACGME, NRMP, and social media. Programs with incomplete data, those using the military match, and non-accredited sites were excluded. Descriptive statistics, χ² tests, and correlation analyses were performed (p < .05).

Of 131 programs, 125 were analyzed at the program level and 121 at the faculty level. DO residents were concentrated in Michigan (59%), Ohio (50%), and Oklahoma (50%). DO representation correlated with DO faculty (r = .82, p < .0001), DO program director (r = .95, p < .0001), and former AOA program designation (r = .92, p < .0001). A negative correlation existed between program size and DO resident (r = -.4, p < .0001).

Despite growing diversity following the single accreditation system, disparities persist in OHNS. DO residents remain underrepresented and geographically concentrated, with representation strongly associated with osteopathic faculty presence, program leadership, and prior AOA affiliation.