Fellowship Match Outcomes in the U.S. From 2010 to 2017: Analysis of San Francisco Match

Authors

Sidra Zafar, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Neil M. Bressler, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Karl C. Golnik, Department of Ophthalmology, The Cincinnati Eye Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Divya Srikumaran, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Zara Ghous, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Samantha Ip, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Xinyi Chen, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Fasika A. Woreta, Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: fworeta1@jhmi.edu.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe applicant characteristics and outcomes associated with the ophthalmology fellowship match. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. METHODS: This study took place in San Francisco and matched data for ophthalmology fellowship applicants in the USA. The study population was registrants for the 2010-2017 ophthalmology fellowship match cycles. The match rate took place during the 8-year study period. Applicant characteristics were stratified by match status and factors associated with matching to ophthalmology fellowship positions. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2017, most applicants (2,558/3,471; 73.7%) were matched into ophthalmology fellowship programs. No difference over time in the proportion of applicants that matched for fellowship was identified (P = .41). On average, ophthalmology residents who were matched into fellowships had higher step 1 (difference: 9; 99% confidence interval [CI]: 6.8-10.9; P < .001), step 2 (difference: 9.5; 99% CI: 7-12; P < .001), and step 3 (difference: 7.4; 99% CI: 5-9.7; P <.001) scores than those who did not match. Applicants who matched also had a greater number of application distributions (difference: 9.6; 99% CI: 7.9-11.2; P < .001), and ranked programs on the match list (difference: 6.2; 99% CI: 5.8-6.7; P < .001). Among applicants who matched, 15% matched at the same institute, 29% matched in the same state, and 45% matched in the same region. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with an increased likelihood of matching into an ophthalmology fellowship program included graduates from the US versus graduates from non-US residency programs (odds ratio [OR]: 2.09; 99% CI: 1.27-3.44; P <.001), increasing percentage of applications ranked (number of ranked programs and/or number of applications distributed) (OR: 1.02; 99% CI: 1.02-1.03; P < .001) as well as having ranked more programs (OR: 1.24; 99% CI: 1.17-1.31; P < .001). Medical graduate status outside of the US (OR: 0.58; 99% CI: 0.36-0.93; P < .001) was associated with decreased odds of matching for fellowship. CONCLUSIONS: From 2010 to 2017, approximately three-quarters of residents applying for an ophthalmology fellowship position matched. Factors associated with increased likelihood of matching included the applicant's graduating from a U.S. residency, graduating from a U.S. medical school, ranking more programs, and having a higher percentage of applications ranked (number of programs ranked by applicant and/or number of applications distributed). The information gained from this study may help applicants as they consider applying to fellowship programs.

Medical Subject Headings

Case-Control Studies; Databases, Factual; Education, Medical, Graduate (statistics & numerical data); Fellowships and Scholarships (statistics & numerical data); Female; Humans; Internship and Residency (statistics & numerical data); Male; Ophthalmology (education); Retrospective Studies; San Francisco; School Admission Criteria

Publication Date

10-1-2020

Publication Title

American journal of ophthalmology

E-ISSN

1879-1891

Volume

218

First Page

261

Last Page

267

PubMed ID

32574772

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.ajo.2020.06.008

Recommended Citation

Zafar, Sidra; Bressler, Neil M.; Golnik, Karl C.; Srikumaran, Divya; Ghous, Zara; Ip, Samantha; Chen, Xinyi; and Woreta, Fasika A., "Fellowship Match Outcomes in the U.S. From 2010 to 2017: Analysis of San Francisco Match" (2020). Neurology. 1566.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurology/1566