Residency Factors Influencing Likelihood of Pursuing Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship

Objectives Residency exposures help shape trainees' decisions to pursue further academic training. In pediatric otolaryngology, the care of complex patients requires advanced training and expertise beyond general residency training. The aim of this study was to determine if specific characteristics of the pediatric experience in residency are related to pursing a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship. Methods Web based analysis of all 128 ACGME Otolaryngology residency programs and graduates from 2017 to 2022 utilizing individual program websites and the Doximity Residency Navigator. Characteristics obtained included program size, location, and pediatric rotation characteristics (free‐standing children's hospital, associated accredited fellowship, pediatric fellowship trained faculty). Each individual graduate listed in program websites was profiled on the basis of their google webpage to identify those listing pediatric otolaryngology training. Multivariate and univariate analysis were employed for statistical analysis. Results Residency programs with rotations at children's hospitals with pediatric fellowships had significantly more graduate's complete pediatric otolaryngology fellowships (25.6% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.001). This held true on multivariate analysis (OR = 5.0 (1.5–18.0), p = 0.010) when controlling for program location, rotation at a Children's hospital, and rotation at a Children's hospital with fellowship. Programs in the Midwest region were 4.4 times more likely to produce graduates pursuing pediatric fellowship training versus other regions ( p = 0.038). Program size did not associate with graduates seeking fellowship. Conclusion Exposure to hospitals with pediatric otolaryngology fellowships increased the likelihood of trainees who pursue pediatric otolaryngology fellowships. Future studies further investigating resident perceptions of their pediatric experience and their motivation to pursue pediatric otolaryngology fellowship will be beneficial. Level of Evidence N/A.