Effect of COVID-19 on Geographic Distribution of the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match

Om, Anjali; Losken, Albert

doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000003676

Cited by 8 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Evaluating the possibility of unexpected impacts of the virtual interview process for the 2020-2021 application cycle was the primary focus of this study. In the integrated plastic surgery Match, an increase in the percentage of residents matching in the same region [14,15] and an increase in programs matching internal candidates [15] was observed. This is in contrast to neurology, where no significant changes in the national or regional matching patterns were identified.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The abrupt transition to virtual interviews in the setting of a global pandemic raised the concern that geography could become an even greater factor. This concern was supported by data from plastic surgery showing an increase in the number of students matching to their home program or programs within the same region (particularly in the Midwest) [14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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No Geographic Distribution Change Among Residency Applicants in the Neurology Match During COVID-19

Beinhoff¹,

Attlassy²,

Carlson³

2023

Cureus

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The COVID-19 pandemic posed a novel challenge for the 2020-2021 Match cycle resulting in a virtual interview season. The advent of virtual interviews raised concerns for both programs and medical students. The possibility of an impact on the application strategies for medical students resulting in students being more likely to remain in the region or state of their medical school was considered. We investigated whether there was a change in the geographic distribution of residency applicants for the class of 2025 (matched in 2021) as compared to the previous three application cycles (classes of 2022-2024) across all 168 neurology residency programs within the United States. MethodsPublicly available data from neurology program websites were compiled to record the location of resident medical schools and matched programs for the residency classes of 2022-2025. Missing or ambiguous information was cross-referenced to social media, (e.g. LinkedIn and Twitter). Statistical analyses were conducted utilizing SPSS 26 (IBM SPSS 26 Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). ResultsAcross all four classes, regional retention (students matching in the same region) was 70.2% for the Northeast, 59.6% for the Midwest, 52.9% for the South, and 59.4% for the West. No significant change between the residency class of 2025 and the previous three classes was present. DiscussionNo significant change to the geographic trends for candidates was seen with the virtual interview process for the 2020-2021 neurology Match. As has been seen in other fields, a strong regional preference, with the majority of residents matching to programs in the same regions as their medical school, was seen for neurology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

No Geographic Distribution Change Among Residency Applicants in the Neurology Match During COVID-19

Beinhoff¹,

Attlassy²,

Carlson³

2023

Cureus

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“…In addition to preferences for in-person interviews, concerns exist about the implications of virtual interviews on match outcomes. Virtual interviews resulted in a higher rate of matching at a student’s home institution [ 16 , 17 ]. There is evidence that some program directors are concerned that applicants from less prestigious schools are at a disadvantage in the era of virtual interviews and limited away rotations [ 12 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virtual residency recruitment: future directions in the new era

et al. 2022

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Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic led to many changes in healthcare including graduate medical education (GME). Residency and fellowship programs halted in-person recruitment and pivoted to virtual models. Residency selection and recruitment were practices ripe for redesign, as they relied on in-person interviewing as the major point of contact prior to match list creation. In this commentary, we review the state of virtual interviewing and propose a future state where virtual interactions are commonplace and integrated into a comprehensive recruitment process. Discussion Virtual recruitment has led to a reduction of expenses, improved time efficiency for all parties and a reduced carbon footprint. Residency match outcomes have not changed substantially with the advent of virtual interviewing. Hybrid approaches, including virtual and in-person options have significant drawbacks and pitfalls which may limit adoption. Given the upheaval in GME recruitment caused by the pandemic, and the limitations of current methods for candidate assessment and interactions with programs, further innovation is needed to achieve an optimal state for all stakeholders. Multiple technology innovations are on the horizon which may improve the ability to interact virtually. Adoption of new technology along with expanding the timeline for residency recruitment may further optimize the process for both applicants and programs. Conclusions The GME community was able to adopt technology for the recruitment interview rapidly due to the pandemic. As more opportunities for technology-based interactions grow, the opportunity exists to reimagine recruitment beyond the interview. While resources are constrained, some of the efficiencies gained by adopting virtual interviewing can be leveraged to expand the interactions between programs and applicants. Incorporation of in-person interaction may still be needed. Models will need to be developed to build upon the best characteristics of the virtual and in-person environments to optimize GME recruitment. KEY MESSAGES: Virtual communication methods have substantially changed residency recruitment during the COVID -19 pandemic. COVID -19 related changes in residency recruitment, including wide adoption of virtual methods, should be maintained and strengthened. Efforts should be made to advance the gains in residency recruitment strategy during the pandemic by use of technologies that expand virtual interactions beyond the interview.

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“…Numerous studies evaluating 2021 match data showed a significant increase in applicants matching at their home institutions compared with previous years. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] The link between these changes and the COVID-19 pandemic has been described in detail. Among students interested in plastic surgery, COVID-19 not only affected the residency application process but also negatively impacted these students' confidence in their medical education.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match: An Update on Match Trends by Applicant Location

Kebede

Marxen

et al. 2022

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

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Background: COVID-19 significantly impacted the residency match process. Away rotations and in-person interviews were canceled in 2021, resulting in a geographic shift in integrated plastic surgery match results. Although several of these limitations were lifted during the 2022 cycle, the resulting geographic outcomes have yet to be described. This study aims to determine whether the changes seen during the previous cycle persisted despite loosened restrictions. Methods: Integrated plastic surgery match results and applicants' home institutions from the 2022 match cycle were determined using publicly available data. Geographic data from this cycle were then compared with pre-COVID-19 match cycles (2016-2020) and the COVID-19-affected 2021 match cycle. Results: Eighty percent (n = 68) of US integrated plastic surgery programs were included in this study. In 2022, 18.42% of applicants matched at their home institution compared with 25.12% in 2021. There was no significant difference in home, state, or regional match rates between 2022 and the five cycles preceding the pandemic (2016)(2017)(2018)(2019)(2020). Combining these data to reflect the non-COVID-19-affected cycles (2016-2020 and 2022) and comparing to the COVID-19-affected cycle (2021), a significant difference in rates of home matches (P = 0.0395) was identified. Conclusions: A significant increase in home institution match rates was not noted during the 2022 cycle. This return to pre-COVID-19 rates is likely attributed to the loosening of restrictions and more opportunities for interaction between applicants and programs outside of their home institution.

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Effect of COVID-19 on Geographic Distribution of the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match

Cited by 8 publications

References 10 publications

No Geographic Distribution Change Among Residency Applicants in the Neurology Match During COVID-19

No Geographic Distribution Change Among Residency Applicants in the Neurology Match During COVID-19

Virtual residency recruitment: future directions in the new era

COVID-19 and the Integrated Plastic Surgery Match: An Update on Match Trends by Applicant Location

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