Factors associated with matching into research-focused dermatology residency programs

• DOI: 10.1007/s00403-021-02271-6
• Publication Date: 2021-08-23T14:06:06Z
• Authors: Anna Eversman; Jatin Narang; David X. Zheng; Angela H. Wei; Emma R. Russell; Wilhemina Osei-Ko...; Elizabeth Obi; Frederick Morgan; Mehak Kalra; Amy S. Nowacki; Bryan T. Carroll; Timmie R. Sharma
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Internship and Residency; Dermatology; United States; Retrospective Studies

Although dermatology is one of the most competitive specialties to match into, there is limited transparency in the residency match process. In this retrospective cohort study of 2234 allopathic medical graduates, we identify applicant characteristics associated with matching into research oriented dermatology programs. Many of the statistically significant variables in our study, including PhD/MD status, graduating from a Top-25 NIH funded medical school, increasing total number of pre-residency publications (PRPs), and increasing number of high-impact PRPs, correlate with future academic employment. Although literature shows an association between an increasing number of first author PRPs and future academic employment, we did not find number of first or last author PRPs to be predictive of matching into a research oriented residency program. A more comprehensive evaluation of an applicant's research output, considering both the final products of an applicant's research endeavors and an applicant's role in various projects, may better approximate an applicant's commitment to academics.