Factors Driving Otolaryngology Residency Program Rankings

Introduction: Medical students frequently factor Doximity residency rankings when considering otolaryngology residency programs. However, the precise methodology and underlying factors influencing these rankings remain poorly understood. Our research aims to explore residency program factors that correlate with Doximity rankings, specifically faculty leadership research output, number of residents, program age, and fellowships offered.

Methods: The 2024 otolaryngology residency program rankings from Doximity’s residency navigator were collected. H-indices for Program Directors (PDs) and Department Chairs (DCs) in all residency programs were retrieved from Scopus author’s search. Number of residents and age of residency program was manually obtained from the ACGME Accreditation Data System Program. Number of fellowship programs offered was retrieved from each program’s website. Individual variables were compared to their respective program rankings using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and programs were stratified into quartiles for segmental analysis. A multivariate analysis to isolate individual effect of each variable was performed.

Results: A total of 113 residency programs with complete data were included in the analysis. Number of residents per program had the strongest correlation with Doximity rankings (r=−0.84), followed by the number of fellowship programs offered (r=−0.78), and DC h-index scores (r=−0.69). Program age and h-index of PDs were moderately correlated with rankings (r=−0.48 and −0.47, respectively). Programs in the top 25% of Doximity rankings showed significantly higher DC h-index scores (mean 40 vs. 20 in the bottom 25%), larger resident cohorts (mean 25 vs.10), and more fellowships offered (mean 10 vs. 4).

Conclusions: Higher Doximity rankings are associated with greater academic output from DCs, larger resident cohorts, and a higher number of fellowships offered. Significant differences in program characteristics were observed between the top and bottom 25% of ranking. However, whether these differences are a cause or effect of ranking remains unclear.