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Comprehensive Otolaryngology

(542) Virtual Away Rotations and Residency Applicant Outcomes in Otolaryngology

Monday, October 2, 2023
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM East Coast USA Time

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Nicholas R. Lenze, MD MPH

    Resident
    University of Michigan Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • William J. Benjamin, MPH

    Medical Student
    University of Michigan Medical School
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

  • Lauren A. Bohm, MD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Michigan Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

  • Marc C. Thorne, MD, MPH

    Professor and Associate Chair for Education and Quality, Division Chief
    University of Michigan Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

  • AM

    Angela P. Mihalic, MD

    Professor
    UT Southwestern Medical Center - Department of Pediatrics, USA

    • Senior Author(s)

  • Robbi A. Kupfer, MD

    Associate Professor
    University of Michigan Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
    Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

Disclosure(s):
Nicholas R. Lenze, MD MPH: No relevant relationships to disclose.
William J. Benjamin, MPH: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Lauren A. Bohm, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Marc C. Thorne, MD, MPH: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Robbi A. Kupfer, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.


Introduction: Virtual away rotations were a novel innovation during the 2020-2021 application cycle and may have a role going forward. However, no studies have examined the impact of virtual away rotations on interview and match outcomes.

Methods: Otolaryngology applicants during the 2020-2021 cycle who responded to the Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (STAR) survey were identified. The primary outcome was mean number of interview offers. Chi square tests, two-sided t-tests, logistic regression models, and ordinary least squares regression models were used to examine associations with virtual away rotations.

Results: There were 115 otolaryngology applicants included in this sample, among whom 35 (30.4%) completed at least one virtual away rotation. Applicants who completed at least one virtual away rotation had significantly more interview offers than those who did not do a virtual away rotation [mean (SD), 14.9 (8.2) vs. 11.6 (7.9); p< 0.03]. Each additional virtual away rotation was associated with an increase in at least two additional interview offers [beta-coefficient 2.29 (95% CI 0.8-3.7; p< 0.01)]. Applications to programs where virtual away rotations were completed were significantly more likely to receive interviews than those without (62.7% vs. 16.8%, p< 0.01). Doing a virtual away rotation was not associated with overall match success (82.9% vs. 67.5%; p=0.09) but did significantly increase the odds of matching at a program where the virtual away rotation was completed [OR 7.7 (95% CI 2.7-21.7); p< 0.01].

Conclusions: Virtual away rotations appear to significantly improve an applicant’s chances of interviewing and matching at that program and are associated with a higher number of total interview offers.