Otolaryngology interest groups: A potential solution to the residency match crisis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether medical student Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (Oto‐HNS) interest groups increase student and resident interest in the specialty and influence decisions to apply to Oto‐HNS residency. METHODS: Two web‐based surveys were distributed by the Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at UConn Health: one to current medical students at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and the other to currents residents at Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–approved otolaryngology training programs. RESULTS: Fifty medical students and 89 residents completed the surveys. Several components were assessed in these surveys, including factors contributing to the selection process, interest group availability, attendance of meetings, availability of otolaryngology mentors, and interest in the specialty. A majority of medical students noted that interest groups play a role in influencing their interest in a medical specialty (56%). Medical students who attended Oto‐HNS interest group were more likely to consider applying for otolaryngology residency (P < .0001) and had improved understanding of otolaryngology than those that did not attend (P = .0003). Residents who attended interest group meetings were more likely to be influenced to apply to otolaryngology than those that did not attend. CONCLUSION: Oto‐HNS interest groups improve medical student understanding of the specialty. Medical students and residents who participated in interest groups were more likely to be influenced positively regarding the specialty than those that did not attend. Oto‐HNS interest groups may foster greater interest in otolaryngology residency and offer a potential solution to the current match concerns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: xx