Elemosho A, Sarac BA, Janis JE. The Law of Diminishing Returns in the Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Match: A Deeper Look at the Numbers.
PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY-GLOBAL OPEN 2024;
12:e5937. [PMID:
38962153 PMCID:
PMC11221859 DOI:
10.1097/gox.0000000000005937]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Background
The highly competitive nature of the integrated plastic surgery residency match justifies the need for objective data that provide insights into some of the residents' selection criteria. Many studies have sought to provide information on these criteria, but to our knowledge, none has described the inflection point where the match probability does not further increase. Although our study provides this information to potential applicants, it will also help them assess and optimize their chances of a successful match.
Methods
We pooled and analyzed the data available on matched and unmatched integrated plastic surgery applicants on the national residency match program database between 2016 and 2022.
Results
Step 2 score of 250 or more (P < 0.0001), number of publications more than 15 (P = 0.0007), number of research experiences five or more (P = 0.018), number of contiguous ranks more than 10 (P < 0.0001), number of volunteer experiences five or more (P < 0.0001), being a US MD applicant (P < 0.0001), and Alpha Omega Alpha membership (P < 0.0001) were all associated with increased probability of matching into the integrated plastic surgery program. Match probability did not further increase after 15 publications, five research experiences, 15 contiguous ranks, and 10 volunteer experiences have been reached. Having a PhD (P = 0.149) or a non-PhD graduate degree (P = 0.07) was not associated with increased match probability.
Conclusion
The law of diminishing returns sets in for applicants to the integrated plastic surgery match after 15 publications, 15 contiguous ranks, five research experiences, and 10 volunteer experiences have been reached.
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