Geographic Trends in the Otolaryngology Match (2016-2020)

Abstract

Objective: Presenting geographic matching trends over 5 match cycles (2016-2020) to serve as a context for changes in residency match outcomes due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Study Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Single academic institution-affiliated otolaryngology–head and neck surgery residency program. Methods: Residency match outcomes for all applicants to our institution (2015-2019) were collected from the National Residency Matching Program, including medical school and matched program. Matches were categorized as home program, home region, or out of region and sorted by US geographic region. Statistical analysis included frequencies, totals, χ2 testing, and binary logistic regression. Results: From 2016 to 2020, the US MD senior match rate was 84.9%: 18.9% to home programs, 35.7% to home region, and 45.3% to out of region. Rates were similar across regions and decreased over time. Westerners matched to home programs more than Southerners or Midwesterners (27.5% vs 16.0% and 16.0%, P