Overemphasis of USMLE and Its Potential Impact on Diversity in Otolaryngology
| Autor: | Rodney C. Diaz, Sandra L. Taylor, Pompeyo R. Quesada, Macaulay A. Ojeaga Jr., Nuen T. Yang, Roberto N. Solis |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
step 1
medicine.medical_specialty step 2 Demographics RD1-811 media_common.quotation_subject diversity 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine medicine 030212 general & internal medicine 030223 otorhinolaryngology media_common Original Research Potential impact Resident education United States Medical Licensing Examination inclusion Otorhinolaryngology RF1-547 Family medicine Surgery Psychology medical education Inclusion (education) USMLE resident education Diversity (politics) |
| Zdroj: | OTO Open, Vol 5 (2021) OTO open, vol 5, iss 3 OTO Open |
| Popis: | 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. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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