Association of Virtual Away Rotations With Residency Applicant Outcomes in Otolaryngology

Objective: To examine how virtual away rotations might influence interview and match outcomes in otolaryngology.

Study design: Cross-sectional retrospective analysis of survey-based study.

Setting: United States medical students applying to otolaryngology residency in the 2020 to 2021 cycle.

Methods: The Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency database was queried to identify otolaryngology applicants during the 2020 to 2021 cycle. The primary outcome was mean number of interview offers. χ ² tests, 2-sided t tests, logistic regression models, and ordinary least squares regression models were used to examine associations with virtual away rotations.

Results: Among 115 otolaryngology applicants identified, 35 (30.4%) applicants reported completing 1 or more virtual away rotations. Applicants who completed at least 1 virtual away rotation received significantly more interview offers than their counterparts who did not participate in virtual away rotations (mean [SD], 14.9 [8.2] vs 11.6 [7.9]; P < .03). Each virtual away rotation completed was associated with an incremental increase of 2 additional interview offers (β coefficient: 2.29 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.8-3.7; P < .01]). Applicants who completed a virtual away rotation were more likely to receive an interview from that program (62.7% vs 16.8%, P < .01) and to match there (odds ratio 7.7 [95% CI: 2.7-21.7]; P < .01) when compared to applicants who had not done the away rotation. Participation in virtual away rotations was not associated with significant improvement in match success (82.9% vs 67.5%; P = .09).

Conclusion: Virtual away rotations were associated with improved program-specific interview and match outcomes, as well as a higher overall number of interview offers.