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Professional and Personal Development

Current Trends in Otolaryngology Residency and Fellowship Match

Wednesday, October 4, 2023
10:09 AM - 10:15 AM East Coast USA Time
Location: 204

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Emily M. Kokush, BS

    Medical Student
    Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    Secaucus, New Jersey, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • FE

    Fareeda Eraky, BS

    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, USA

  • SV

    Sudeepti Vedula, BS

    Medical Student
    Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    Piscataway , New Jersey, USA

  • PS

    Priyanka Singh, BA

    Medical Student
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    Robbinsville, NJ, USA

  • AS

    Ariana L. Shaari, BA

    Medical Student
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    Newark, New Jersey, United States

  • Paul T. Cowan, DO

    Resident Physician
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    Kearny, NJ, United States

    • Senior Author(s)

  • EK

    Evelyne Kalyoussef, MD

    Associate Professor
    Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
    Newark, New Jersey, United States

Disclosure(s):
Evelyne Kalyoussef, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Introduction: Historically, Otolaryngology has been one of the most competitive residencies with equally competitive fellowships. The purpose of this study is to evaluate recent trends in Otolaryngology residency and fellowship interest and match rates.

Methods: The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and San Francisco Match (SF Match) provided program and applicant data of otolaryngology residency, otology/neurotology, laryngology, facial plastic surgery (FPRS), pediatric otolaryngology, and rhinology fellowships from 2018 to 2022. Programs participating, total positions, positions filled, applicants participating, applicants matched, and applicants remaining were collected and analyzed.

Results: In the last 5 years, the total number of otolaryngology applicants increased from 333 to 574 (72% increase) while the number of positions increased from 315 to 361 (14% increase). During this period, the number of applicants applying to Otolaryngology fellowships only marginally increased from 194 to 224 (15% increase) and available positions similarly increased from 170 to 188 (11% increase). The fellowship match rate was highest for FPRS (84% in 2022, 82% 5-year average) and most competitive for otology (59% in 2022, 66% 5-year average). FPRS was the most desirable subspecialty, consistently having the most applicants each year, and was followed by the pediatrics. Yet, pediatrics had a total of 60 unfilled positions over the last 5 years. Despite an 11% increase in applicants, there was a notable increase in unfilled positions for rhinology in 2022 (12 positions) than in 2018 (6 positions) as a result of an increase in available positions.

Conclusions: In recent years, Otolaryngology residency has seen a substantially greater increase in interest compared to its fellowships. Fellowship interest overall increased at a similar rate to the positions available, yet many spots were left unfilled in select fields. Understanding current trends in Otolaryngology interest and match rates can help future applicants prepare to apply, as well as dictate necessary changes in Otolaryngology graduate medical education.