Current Trends of Research Productivity among Students Matching at Top Ophthalmology Programs

Abstract

Importance San Francisco Match publishes no data on the research output of matched applicants to an ophthalmology residency. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the temporal trends in publication volume by medical students who successfully matched into a top ophthalmology residency. Methods This retrospective case series compared all residents in the top 30 ophthalmology residency programs from the class of 2022 and 2017. Publication volume from before September 15th of the residents' fourth year of medical school was recorded using PubMed and Google Scholar. We recorded total number of publications (any authorship), first/second author publications, and ophthalmology-specific publications. Using Welch's t-test, publication volumes were statistically compared against all others. Results One-hundred sixty-one residents from the class of 2022 and 145 residents from the class of 2017 were included. Total publications per matched applicant (mean ± standard deviation) were 3.04 ± 0.35 for the class of 2022 and 1.67 ± 0.23 for the class of 2017. Mean publications in ophthalmology journals were 1.07 ± 0.20 (2022) and 0.58 ± 0.13 (2017); mean first author publications were 1.00 ± 0.13 (2022) and 0.64 ± 0.11 (2017) and mean second author publications were 0.70 ± 0.10 (2022) and 0.37 ± 0.06 (2017). Research productivity in all four metrics (total, ophthalmology journals, first author, and second author publications) was significantly higher for the class of 2022 than the class of 2017 (p = 0.001; p = 0.03; p = 0.03; p = 0.02, respectively) supporting the trend of increasing research output among students. Applicants with PhD degrees had statistically more total and first author publications in 2017 (p = 0.01; p = 0.045), but only more first author publications in 2022 (p = 0.01). International applicants produced significantly more total publications in 2022 (p < 0.001). Conclusions Overall, after a 5-year period, the authors found matched applicants had significantly increased publications compared with those at the beginning of the period. We also identified several applicant factors that may have variable effects on research publication. This analysis emphasizes the growing importance of research in the match process and can help future applicants navigate the ophthalmology match.

In Reply

“…However, historically, few positions are unfilled. 1 Another is that simulations cannot predict changes in applicant and program behavior. With interview caps, competitive applicants may choose to accept interviews at a mixture of more and less competitive programs, maximizing their chances of matching.In sum, the ophthalmology match suggests that interview caps are a promising solution for the growing problem of excessive resident applications and virtual interviews.…”

“…However, historically, few positions are unfilled. 1 Another is that simulations cannot predict changes in applicant and program behavior. With interview caps, competitive applicants may choose to accept interviews at a mixture of more and less competitive programs, maximizing their chances of matching.…”

“…Second, the authors suggest that interview caps in ophthalmology “appear to positively impact resident quality….” They cite Zhou and colleagues, 1 who showed an increase in research publication output of matched applicants at top ophthalmology programs from 2017–2022. However, given the general increase in research output among applicants to other highly competitive surgical subspecialties, the findings of Zhou and colleagues likely reflect a general trend of increasing research productivity among all ophthalmology applicants, rather than a result of interview caps.…”

The Ophthalmology Residency Match Experience With Interview Caps

“…The American Geriatric Society estimates that 30% of this population would benefit from geriatric specialty care, 3 requiring a fivefold increase in geriatricians by 2030. 4 Unfortunately, current projections indicate a significant shortage of physicians in the United States by 2033. 5 This is particularly daunting in geriatrics, a specialty representing only 1% of the physician workforce 6 while also hindered by lagging student engagement and declining fellowship positions.…”

“…Between 2019–2020 and 2022–2023, ophthalmology match rates for U.S. medical students and interview invites for matched/unmatched applicants remained unchanged 3 . Moreover, during this period, research productivity of matched applicants increased at top academic programs, which often prioritize research output, suggesting that more competitive applicants still matched at these programs 4 …”