Does Geographic Region of Away Rotations Predict Otolaryngology Match Outcomes?

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether the geographic region where medical students complete an away rotation predicts the same site, region-specific, or overall interview offers and match success in otolaryngology. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: US medical schools. Methods: We queried the Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency database to analyze outcomes of otolaryngology applicants during the 2018 to 2020 and 2022 match cycles. Outcomes included a number of interviews offered, geographic location of interviews, and match results, including region-specific and overall match success rate. Results: Of 455 otolaryngology applicants, 402 (90.3%) completed an away rotation. Among these, 368 (91.8%) were offered an interview and 124 (30.9%) matched to the program where they completed an away rotation. Applicants who completed away rotations outside their home region received more interview offers from that region than those who did not (Northeast: 4.2 vs 2.9; South: 4.3 vs 3.0; Central: 4.8 vs 3.0; West: 3.8 vs 1.6, P