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Intersectional Analysis of the Otolaryngology Match Confirms White Male Advantage

by Linda Kossoff •

What will an intersectional analysis of racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (OHNS) Match reveal about multiple forms of discrimination?

BOTTOM LINE

White men have a persistent advantage, while several racial, ethnic, and gender minorities are disadvantaged in the OHNS Match.

BACKGROUND: Racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the OHNS Match have been described individually, but these facets of identity are intersectional and have a combined effect. Despite the importance of diversity in the healthcare workforce, there is a paucity of intersectional analysis in OHNS literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Data study.

SETTING: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Wash.

SYNOPSIS: Researchers evaluated data from otolaryngology applicants and corresponding otolaryngology residents from 2013 to 2019. Applicants and residents were separated by gender, and gender groups were separated into racial and ethnic groups. Findings showed that White men were matched at a higher rate than other racial, ethnic, and gender groups who applied and matched to OHNS, as were White women. White men represented 37.5% of the applicant pool and an increased 41.7% proportion of the corresponding resident pool. Female applicants of all races/ethnicities represented 34.4% of the applicant pool and 35.4% of the matched resident pool. Hispanic, Latino, or men of Spanish origin represented 2.8% of the applicant pool and 2.0% of the resident pool. The study did not find significant proportion differences for several underrepresented races, ethnicities, or genders in the medicine groups, possibly due to small sample sizes. Authors noted that longitudinal individual-level data would be required to better understand and intervene in the bottlenecks in the pipeline to diversify the OHNS workforce. Study limitations included use of limited data sets.

CITATION: Konuthula N, Epstein S, Wang X, et al. Intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and gender in the otolaryngology match from 2013 to 2019. Laryngoscope. 2023;133:2558–2563.