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Abstract #128542 Published in IGR 25-3
Assessing the competitiveness of applicants in the ophthalmology match based on interest in pediatric ophthalmology
Cubells C; Martínez P; Heilenbach N; Lee TF; Elkin ZJournal of AAPOS 2025; 29: 104215
BACKGROUND: The number of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus (PO&S) fellowship positions filled each year remains consistently lower compared with other subspecialities. It is unclear where along the recruitment pathway trainees interested in pediatrics decide to select other subspecialities. This study assesses for differences in the competitiveness of ophthalmology residency applicants based on interest in PO&S, which may impact their ability to matriculate into residency. METHODS: We reviewed the 2022-2023 San Francisco (SF) Match applications submitted to a single ophthalmology residency program. Stated fellowship interest, demographic characteristics, academic performance, research activities, and other selection factors were recorded. The χ and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 631 applications reviewed, 125 (19.8%) of applicants stated a subspeciality interest. Among those who stated an interest, 34 (27.2%) were interested in PO&S. When compared to all other applicants (with or without a stated subspecialty interest), applicants interested in PO&S were more likely to be female (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found in academic, research, or extracurricular variables based on subspeciality interest in PO&S. The same was true when applicants interested in PO&S were compared to those interested in competitive subspecialities (cornea, glaucoma, retina, or oculoplastics). CONCLUSIONS: Applicants interested in PO&S were observed to be as competitive as other applicants. Among students who expressed a fellowship interest, there was a high proportion interested in pediatrics. Recruitment efforts can be targeted toward encouraging medical students interested in pediatrics to apply into ophthalmology.
Department of Ophthalmology, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York.
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