TY - JOUR
T1 - The indelible marks on dermatology
T2 - Impacts of COVID-19 on dermatology residency Match using the Texas STAR database
AU - Williams, Georgia E.
AU - Zimmerman, Jessica M.
AU - Wiggins, Claire J.
AU - Seervai, Riyad N.H.
AU - Mihalic, Angela P.
AU - Ahmed, Ammar M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2023/1/1
Y1 - 2023/1/1
N2 - With changes to interview format and away rotations, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the residency application process. In this retrospective cohort study of data from the nationwide Texas Seeking Transparency in Applications to Residency (STAR) survey, we sought to understand how the pandemic has affected applicants in the 2021 dermatology Match. We compared applicants in the post–COVID-19 Match year (2021) with those in pre–COVID-19 Match years (2018-2020) regarding match rates, interview costs, residency geographic connections, and number of interviews attended. A total of 439 dermatology applicants who completed the Texas STAR survey were included. There was no difference in percentage of applicants with a geographic connection to their matched program (43.88% vs 47.20%). Compared with prior cycles, applicants in the 2021 Match had a higher percentage of interview offers (96% vs 90%, P < .0001), and more applicants attended 16 or more interviews (P = .0489). Applicants in the 2021 Match reported an average savings of $5,000 compared with prior cycles. Virtual interviews offer savings for applicants but may encourage interview hoarding. Though applicants did not perform away rotations, there was no increase in geographic connection for matched applicants. Stakeholders should consider these data when evaluating the pros and cons of virtual interviewing postpandemic.
AB - With changes to interview format and away rotations, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the residency application process. In this retrospective cohort study of data from the nationwide Texas Seeking Transparency in Applications to Residency (STAR) survey, we sought to understand how the pandemic has affected applicants in the 2021 dermatology Match. We compared applicants in the post–COVID-19 Match year (2021) with those in pre–COVID-19 Match years (2018-2020) regarding match rates, interview costs, residency geographic connections, and number of interviews attended. A total of 439 dermatology applicants who completed the Texas STAR survey were included. There was no difference in percentage of applicants with a geographic connection to their matched program (43.88% vs 47.20%). Compared with prior cycles, applicants in the 2021 Match had a higher percentage of interview offers (96% vs 90%, P < .0001), and more applicants attended 16 or more interviews (P = .0489). Applicants in the 2021 Match reported an average savings of $5,000 compared with prior cycles. Virtual interviews offer savings for applicants but may encourage interview hoarding. Though applicants did not perform away rotations, there was no increase in geographic connection for matched applicants. Stakeholders should consider these data when evaluating the pros and cons of virtual interviewing postpandemic.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146452591&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85146452591&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2022.12.001
DO - 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2022.12.001
M3 - Article
C2 - 36509341
AN - SCOPUS:85146452591
SN - 0738-081X
VL - 41
SP - 215
EP - 218
JO - Clinics in Dermatology
JF - Clinics in Dermatology
IS - 1
ER -