In:
Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, Wiley, Vol. 7, No. 6 ( 2022-12), p. 1756-1761
Abstract:
As of January 2022, USMLE Step 1 scores are reported as pass/fail. Historically, Step 1 scores have been a critical component of residency applications, representing one of the few metrics standardized across all applicants independent of the school they attended. In competitive specialties, such as otolaryngology, programs routinely get 100+ applicants for each residency spot and use Step 1 as a screening tool. This study seeks to assess quantifiable metrics in the application that highly competitive residency programs could use for screening in place of Step 1 scores. Methods Otolaryngology applications to an academic medical center for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 ERAS cycles were reviewed. Board scores and quantitative research data were extracted. The relationships between Step 1 score and the other metrics were examined by computing Pearson's correlation coefficients and building regression models. Similar analyses were done separately for three different score tiers defined by Step 1 cutoffs at 220 points and 250 points. Results Step 2 score was the only variable that had meaningful correlation with Step 1 score ( R = .67, p 〈 2.2e−16). No other objective metric such as journal articles, posters, or oral presentations correlated with Step 1 scores. Conclusion Step 1 scores were moderately correlated with Step 2 scores; however, using a Step 2 cutoff instead of a Step 1 cutoff would identify a different cohort of applicants for interview. No other quantifiable application metric had a positive correlation. In future match cycles, highly competitive residency programs will need to adopt new methods to screen candidates. Level of Evidence: Level 3.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2378-8038
,
2378-8038
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2851702-7
