Predictors of matching into an ophthalmology fellowship for international medical graduates: a San Francisco match analysis

Authors

Muhammad Ali, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Wilmer B1-69., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
Safa Saeed, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Wilmer B1-69., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
Sidra Zafar, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Wilmer B1-69., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
Karl C. Golnik, Department of Ophthalmology, The Cincinnati Eye Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Fasika Woreta, Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 600 North Wolfe Street, Wilmer B1-69., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. fworeta1@jhmi.edu.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of international medical graduates (IMGs) applying for ophthalmology fellowship match. METHODS: Design Case control study. Setting San Francisco Fellowship Match data between 2010 and 2017. Participants IMGs applying for ophthalmology fellowships. Main outcome(s) and measure(s) Applicant characteristics for IMGs were stratified by their match outcome and compared using Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney U test. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess the effect of applicant characteristics on their match outcomes. RESULTS: 22.62% (785/3471) of the fellowship match applicants were IMGs of which 35.92% (n = 282) matched. This rate was 58% lower than the 86.4% match rate for US-MG (p < 0.001). Factors associated with higher odds of matching among IMGs were graduating from a US residency (Odds Ratio (OR):2.330; 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.433-3.789), higher USMLE Step 3 score (OR:1.019; 95% CI: 1.006-1.032), applying to more programs (OR:1.035; 95% CI: 1.017-1.053), ranking more programs (OR:1.200; 95% CI: 1.096-1.313) and having a higher percentage of programs ranked (OR:1.021; 95% CI: 1.014-1.028). CONCLUSIONS: Fellowship match rates for IMGs were significantly lower than for US-MGs. IMGs graduating from an ophthalmology residency in the US, scoring higher Step 3 scores, distributing more applications, and ranking more programs had increased odds of matching. This information may assist IMG fellowship applicants and their mentors when they consider pursuing an ophthalmology fellowship program in the US.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; United States; Case-Control Studies; Fellowships and Scholarships; Ophthalmology (education); San Francisco; Internship and Residency

Publication Date

6-1-2023

Publication Title

International ophthalmology

E-ISSN

1573-2630

Volume

43

Issue

6

First Page

2029

Last Page

2035

PubMed ID

36512298

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1007/s10792-022-02602-0

Recommended Citation

Ali, Muhammad; Saeed, Safa; Zafar, Sidra; Golnik, Karl C.; and Woreta, Fasika, "Predictors of matching into an ophthalmology fellowship for international medical graduates: a San Francisco match analysis" (2023). Neurology. 1660.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurology/1660