From the Guidelines
The best method to assess the competitiveness of Emergency Medicine (EM) residency programs is to examine multiple objective metrics together, including National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data, program-specific information, and geographic desirability. When evaluating the competitiveness of EM residency programs, it is essential to consider various factors that influence the match process. According to a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine 1, emergency medicine residency programs provide the best and only method of training future emergency physicians, highlighting the importance of these programs in producing well-educated and experienced emergency physicians.
To assess competitiveness, the following metrics should be considered:
- National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data, which provides match rates, average USMLE scores, and number of applications per matched applicant
- Program-specific information, such as acceptance rates, interview offer percentages, and the credentials of recently matched residents
- Geographic desirability, as programs in popular urban locations typically receive more applications
- Program reputation and academic affiliation, with university-affiliated programs generally being more selective
By considering these factors, applicants can develop a strategic application list that includes programs across the competitiveness spectrum, increasing their chances of matching into a reputable EM residency program. As noted in the study 1, emergency medicine programs need to increase the number of GME-funded residency positions in response to workforce demands and the current shortage of physicians appropriately trained and certified in emergency medicine, making it crucial for applicants to be informed about the competitiveness of these programs.
From the Research
Assessing Competitiveness of Emergency Medicine Residency Programs
To assess the competitiveness of Emergency Medicine (EM) residency programs, several factors can be considered, including:
- Pre-residency variables such as grade during home and away EM rotations, designation as Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score, interview scores, and "global rating" and "competitiveness" on nonprogram leadership standardized letter of recommendation (SLOR) 2
- The National Resident Match Program (NRMP) rank list, although it has been found to have only a weak positive correlation with future performance as a resident 3
- Standardized letters of evaluation (SLOE), which are used by EM faculty to determine applicant competitiveness, with factors such as trustworthiness and value of the SLOE being considered 4
- Professionalism milestones assessments, such as faculty shift evaluations and summative opinions, although these methods have been found to be not very effective in determining mastery of non-technical skills 5
- Characteristics of applicants, such as the medical school attended, distinctive factors (e.g. being a championship athlete, medical school officer), and dean's letter of recommendation, which have been found to be predictors of overall performance in residency 6
Key Factors in Assessing Competitiveness
Some key factors to consider when assessing the competitiveness of EM residency programs include:
- USMLE Step 1 score
- Interview scores
- SLOE rankings from nonprogram leadership
- Completion of five or more presentations and publications
- Medical school attended
- Distinctive factors (e.g. being a championship athlete, medical school officer)
- Dean's letter of recommendation
Limitations of Current Methods
Current methods of assessing competitiveness, such as the NRMP rank list and professionalism milestones assessments, have been found to have limitations, including: