Overemphasis of USMLE and Its Potential Impact on Diversity in Otolaryngology.
OTO Open 2021;
5:2473974X211031470. [PMID:
34350370 PMCID:
PMC8295955 DOI:
10.1177/2473974x211031470]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective
Applicant demographics during the 2019-2020 residency cycle were evaluated to determine if strict utilization of United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores in applicant selection could lead to a restriction in diversity.
Study Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Otolaryngology residency applicants to a single institution.
Methods
A total of 381 applicants were analyzed by age, gender, applicant type, race/ethnicity, USMLE scores, permanent zip code, and graduating medical school.
Results
Among applicants, 37% were women; 9% were ≥30 years of age; 12% were underrepresented minorities (URMs); 71% to 81% had above-average socioeconomic surrogate markers; 22% were from a top 25 US News & World Report–ranked institution; and 81% were from an institution with an otolaryngology residency program. There was no increase in applicants who identified as URM from the 2015-2020 cycles. Multivariable regression analysis showed that applicants who were international medical graduates, URMs, and ≥30 years of age had lower Step 1 and Step 2 scores (P < .05). Applicants who identified as women had a lower Step 1 score, and those from top 25 National Institutes of Health–funded institutions had a higher Step 1 score; however, there was no difference when Step 2 scores were compared (P > .05).
Conclusion
Our data suggest that in the pre–USMLE Step 1 pass/fail setting, strict adherence to USMLE scores may lead to disproportionally low recruitment of applicants who are women, ≥30 years of age, URMs, and from institutions without an otolaryngology residency program. We must implement measures against overemphasizing the absolute values of USMLE scores for a true holistic review of applicants, specifically to prevent an overemphasis on the USMLE Step 2 score.
Collapse