title: State of otolaryngology match: has competition increased since the "early" match?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine fluctuations in supply and demand of otolaryngology residency positions after the shift from an "early match" coordinated by the San Francisco match to a "conventional" matching process through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). To determine whether competition among otolaryngology residency positions have changed during this time frame.
  
  
  METHODS
  Database analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Matching statistics from 1998 to 2013 were obtained for all first-year residency positions through the NRMP. Matching statistics from 1998 to 2005 were obtained for otolaryngology residency positions through the San Francisco match. Univariate analysis was performed, with a P value less than .05 determined as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of otolaryngology positions and applicants remained proportional to the overall number of positions and applicants in the NRMP match. Otolaryngology applicants per position and the matching rate of all applicants did not change between the 2 time periods studied. The overall match rate of US seniors applying to otolaryngology did not change, while the match rate of non-US seniors decreased significantly following initiation of the conventional match. There was no significant change in United States Medical Licensing Exam step 1 scores or percentage of unfilled otolaryngology residency positions between the 2 time periods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When comparing the early versus conventional otolaryngology match time periods, the only major change was the decreased percentage of matching among non-US senior applicants. Despite a significant shift in match timing after 2006, the supply, demand, and competitiveness of otolaryngology residency positions have not changed significantly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA cristina.cabrera-muffly@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cabrera-Muffly
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Jeanelle
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheeder
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abaza
mesh_terms: D003163:Competitive Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D010560:Personnel Selection; D066231:Surgeons / Q000600:supply & distribution
keywords: education; match; residency