Medical student selection of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery as a specialty: influences and attitudes.

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine factors students perceive as influential in decision to pursue otolaryngology; 2) to determine perception of importance of factors used for resident selection and individual student commitment to the match; and 3) to identify exposure to various subspecialties within otolaryngology.

DESIGN: Population survey.

METHODS: A survey was administered to students applying for otolaryngology between 2000 and 2003 at a single institution.

RESULTS: Ninety-six students were interviewed. Seventy-eight percent believed that the main factor influencing their decision to pursue otolaryngology was their exposure to the residents. Board scores and one-on-one interviews were important factors in selection of interviewees and ranking process. Interestingly, over 20% of students believed that the match should not be early because they wanted more time to commit to ENT.

CONCLUSIONS: These data underscore the importance that residents have in directing future students to our specialty. Results of the match survey may indicate an attrition rate within residency programs that may be avoided if ENT were part of the "regular" match.