Bowe Sarah N, Schmalbach Cecelia E, Laury Adrienne M
1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
2 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Jun;156(6):985-990. doi: 10.1177/0194599817695804. Epub 2017 Mar 7.
Objective This State of the Art Review aims (1) to define recent qualifications of otolaryngology resident applicants by focusing on United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) status, and research/publications and (2) to summarize the current literature regarding the relationship between these measures and performance in residency. Data Sources Electronic Residency Application Service, National Residency Matching Program, PubMed, Ovid, and GoogleScholar. Review Methods Electronic Residency Application Service and National Residency Matching Program data were analyzed to evaluate trends in applicant numbers and qualifications. Additionally, a literature search was performed with the aforementioned databases to identify relevant articles published in the past 5 years that examined USMLE Step 1 scores, AOA status, and research/publications. Conclusions Compared with other highly competitive fields over the past 3 years, the only specialty with decreasing applicant numbers is otolaryngology, with the rest remaining relatively stable or slightly increased. Additionally, USMLE Step 1 scores, AOA status, and research/publications do not reliably correlate with performance in residency. Implications for Practice The consistent decline in applications for otolaryngology residency is concerning and reflects a need for change in the current stereotype of the "ideal" otolaryngology applicant. This includes consideration of additional selection measures focusing on noncognitive and holistic qualities. Furthermore, otolaryngology faculty should counsel medical students that applying in otolaryngology is not "impossible" but rather a feasible and worthwhile endeavor.
目的 本综述旨在：（1）通过关注美国医师执照考试（USMLE）成绩、阿尔法欧米伽阿尔法（AOA）身份以及研究/出版物情况，明确近期耳鼻喉科住院医师申请者的资质；（2）总结当前关于这些指标与住院医师培训表现之间关系的文献。数据来源 电子住院医师申请服务系统、全国住院医师匹配计划、PubMed、Ovid和谷歌学术。综述方法 分析电子住院医师申请服务系统和全国住院医师匹配计划的数据，以评估申请者数量和资质的趋势。此外，使用上述数据库进行文献检索，以识别过去5年发表的检查USMLE第一步考试成绩、AOA身份以及研究/出版物情况的相关文章。结论 与过去3年其他竞争激烈的领域相比，申请者数量减少的唯一专业是耳鼻喉科，其他专业数量相对稳定或略有增加。此外，USMLE第一步考试成绩、AOA身份以及研究/出版物情况与住院医师培训表现并无可靠关联。对实践的启示 耳鼻喉科住院医师申请数量持续下降令人担忧，这反映出需要改变当前对“理想”耳鼻喉科申请者的刻板印象。这包括考虑侧重于非认知和整体素质的额外选拔措施。此外，耳鼻喉科教员应向医学生建议，申请耳鼻喉科并非“不可能”，而是一项可行且值得努力的事情。
