Mostafa Bondok
University of British Columbia, Canada
Title: Addressing unmatched ophthalmology applicants in canadian residency programs: Exploring viable solutions
Biography
Biography: Mostafa Bondok
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: Applicants to ophthalmology have experienced disproportionately higher rates of going unmatched during the CaRMS process compared to other specialties. Our research aims to examine this phenomenon by identifying trends and comparing match data to other specialties.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Using a retrospective, cross-sectional design, Qualitative trends in CaRMS outcomes of ophthalmology applicants were compared to other specialties from 2013-2022.
Findings: Data was obtained from 608 ophthalmology, 5,153 surgery, and 3,092 top five (most competitive) specialty first choice applicants from 2013-2022. Ophthalmology applicants were more likely to go unmatched (18.9% [120/608]) than applicants to the top five (11.9% [371/3,092]) and surgical (13.5% [702/5,153]) specialties (p<0.001) and were twice as likely to rank no alternate disciplines (31.8%; p<0.001) over the study period. In the first iteration, when alternate disciplines were ranked, match rate to alternate disciplines was highest for ophthalmology applicants (0.41; p<0.001). The majority (57.8%) of unmatched ophthalmology applicants do not participate in the second iteration.
Statement of the Problem: Applicants to ophthalmology have experienced disproportionately higher rates of going unmatched during the CaRMS process compared to other specialties. Our research aims to examine this phenomenon by identifying trends and comparing match data to other specialties.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: Using a retrospective, cross-sectional design, Qualitative trends in CaRMS outcomes of ophthalmology applicants were compared to other specialties from 2013-2022.
Findings: Data was obtained from 608 ophthalmology, 5,153 surgery, and 3,092 top five (most competitive) specialty first choice applicants from 2013-2022. Ophthalmology applicants were more likely to go unmatched (18.9% [120/608]) than applicants to the top five (11.9% [371/3,092]) and surgical (13.5% [702/5,153]) specialties (p<0.001) and were twice as likely to rank no alternate disciplines (31.8%; p<0.001) over the study period. In the first iteration, when alternate disciplines were ranked, match rate to alternate disciplines was highest for ophthalmology applicants (0.41; p<0.001). The majority (57.8%) of unmatched ophthalmology applicants do not participate in the second iteration.
