Postpandemic NRMP Match Analysis for Applicants to Integrated Interventional Radiology Residency

Purpose: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the NRMP match process was conducted over virtual interviews with significant limitations of away rotations and site visits. It is hypothesized that programs would weigh certain applicant characteristics different from prior years. The aim of this study is to assess the changes that occurred during the virtual application cycle for interventional radiology (IR).

Materials and Methods: An NRMP match database, TexasStar, was analyzed with 49 unmatched and 146 matched applicants surveyed between 2018 and 2021. Descriptive statistics and univariate logistic regression were performed on two groups separately, pre- and post-COVID applicants (n = 147 and 48, respectively). Odds ratios of applicant characteristics for a successful match in IR were quantified for both periods and then compared with one another.

Results: Study variables analyzed were number of honored rotations, United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, interviews attended, AOA, class rank, research year or other degree, type of medical degree, and number of away rotations. The percentage of MDs matched to IR positions versus other applicant types (DO, IMG) did not significantly change between 2020 and 2021 (80.4% vs 81.9%; P = 0.73). The percentage of unmatched positions did not significantly change between 2020 and 2021 (94.8% vs 95.7%; P = 0.72). Significant predictors of a successful match for both pre- and post-COVID eras included total interviews offered (1.11 and 1.33; P < 0.01) and total interviews accepted (1.14 and 1.17; P < 0.05). Predictors for a successful match before COVID included total applications submitted (1.03; P = 0.02), Step 2 scores (1.04; P < 0.01), number of honored rotations (1.32; P < 0.01), and total number of away rotations (1.85, p < 0.01). Predictors for a successful match post-COVID included holding another academic degree (PhD, MS, and so on) or research year (5.81; P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Total interviews offered and accepted have consistently been significant predictors of a successful match during both pre- and post-COVID match cycles. Away rotations were previously held in high regard but were no longer a significant predictor during COVID, owing to their very limited availability. Although Step 2 scores and number of honored rotations were significant predictors of matching in IR before COVID, it is suspected that they were not significantly predictive in this cohort because of limited sample size.