Fact checked byJill Rollet

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May 22, 2023
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OB/GYN program competitiveness significantly increased over the last 20 years

Fact checked byJill Rollet
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Key takeaways:

  • Both total OB/GYN positions and total applicants significantly increased from 2003 to 2022.
  • From 2003 to 2022, the normalized competitive index has increased by 22%.

BALTIMORE — From 2003 to 2022, findings presented at the ACOG Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting found a significant increase in competititveness in OB/GYN residency programs.

“In 2017, ACOG reported that half of the U.S. counties will lack a single OB/GYN. So, with the increasing shortage of OB/GYNs, and the limited growth of residency programs, a longitudinal analysis of the OB/GYN residencies could further elucidate match trends,” Ali M. Michelotti, BS, medical student at the University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, said during a presentation. “The competitiveness in the last few decades is not well described in literature.”

Source: Adobe Stock.
Both total OB/GYN positions and total applicants significantly increased from 2003 to 2022. Source: Adobe Stock.

Using the normalized competitive index, researchers assessed the change in OB/GYN program competitiveness from 2003 to 2022. Researchers obtained OB/GYN match data from the National Resident Matching Program and obtained OB/GYN residency matched applicant metrics from 2007 to 2021 from the same program and the Association of American Medical Colleges. OB/GYN residency-matched applicant metrics included Step 1 and Step 2 scores and percentiles, research, output experiences, work experiences and volunteer experiences.

Both total OB/GYN positions (1,172.6 vs. 1,344.6; P < .001) and total number of applicants (1,539 vs. 1,902; P < .001) significantly increased from 2003 to 2022 with total number of applicants increasing at a higher rate than positions. Regarding applicant metrics from 2007 to 2021, researchers observed an increase in research output experiences (2.4 vs. 5; P < .002), volunteer experiences (7.7 vs. 8.6; P < .05) and work experiences (2.9 vs. 3.6; P = .002).

The normalized competitive index increased by 22% from 2003 to 2022. However, the total applicant match rate did not substantially change during the same period (75.5% vs. 70.5%). In addition, MD senior match rate significantly decreased from 92 to 85.6 (P < .001).

“[These findings] can help provide guidance for medical students who want to pursue OB/GYN, and then it can also help ensure that the applicants are competitive enough,” Michelotti said. “And then hopefully [allow] expansion of OB/GYN training and workforce in years to come.”

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