{
  "abstract": "Physician-scientists trained through MD-PhD programs play important roles in translational research. Despite the growing emphasis on research in residency applications, it remains unclear whether competitive specialties demonstrate a preference for MD-PhD graduates. This study evaluates differences in representation and match outcomes between MD-PhD and MD applicants across select specialties from 2007–2024, as well as the influence of specialty-level compensation and structural research infrastructure on outcomes. We analyzed data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (2015–2023), the National MD-PhD Program Outcomes Study (1975–2024), and the National Resident Matching Program’s Charting Outcomes in the Match™ (2014–2024). Chi-square tests compared match rates between MD-PhD and all U.S. MD senior applicants across dermatology, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and diagnostic radiology. Negative binomial models measured changes in MD-PhD resident representation. Spearman rank correlations assessed associations between specialty-level physician compensation, NIH departmental funding, number of dedicated Physician-Scientist Training Programs, and MD-PhD outcomes. From 2015–2023, MD-PhD representation among residents remained stable with match rates varying by specialty and year. Dermatology and diagnostic radiology demonstrated strong match outcomes for MD-PhDs, whereas orthopedic surgery showed declining success for MD-PhD applicants. Neurosurgery, otolaryngology, and plastic surgery,had variable or inconsistent trends. Compensation and NIH funding were not significantly correlated with MD-PhD representation or match advantage. Physician-Scientist Training Programs availability showed the strongest associations with both outcomes but was not statistically significant given the small sample size. MD-PhD training does not consistently confer a match advantage in competitive specialties. The availability of research training infrastructure, compensation, and NIH funding may influence MD-PhD match success. Additionally, residency program preferences, such as clinical metrics, as well as MD-PhD applicant preferences may both affect match outcomes. Enhanced mentorship, specialty-specific exposure, and financial support may help support the physician-scientist pipeline across specialties.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Dermatology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America",
    "School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America",
    "School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America",
    "Department of Dermatology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America"
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Albert E. Zhou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Timothy Klufas"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Erik Choi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Yee Won Kim"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jenny J. Kim"
    },
    {
      "name": "Akua Sarfo"
    },
    {
      "name": "Brett Sloan"
    },
    {
      "name": "Hao Feng"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6fvnwkp1hc8qt.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357960",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "6fvnwkp1hc8qt",
  "issns": [
    "1932-6203"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357960",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "journal",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2739|Health and Medical Research Impacts"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Dermatology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Health care/Health care providers/Physicians"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Otorhinolaryngology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Surgical and invasive medical procedures/Musculoskeletal system procedures/Orthopedic surgery"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Surgical and invasive medical procedures/Nervous system procedures/Neurosurgery"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Surgical and invasive medical procedures/Otolaryngological procedures"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Surgical and invasive medical procedures/Plastic surgery and reconstructive techniques"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Educational status/Graduates"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/People and places/Population groupings/Professions/Medical personnel/Physicians"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212172874",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0357960&type=printable",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-10",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6fvnwkp1hc8qt.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357960",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357960"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "plos:surgical and invasive medical procedures",
      "subfield": "surgery"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Trends in MD-PhD representation and match outcomes across competitive specialties, 2007–2024",
  "title_text": "Trends in MD-PhD representation and match outcomes across competitive specialties, 2007–2024",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/6fvnwkp1hc8qt",
  "venue": "PLOS One",
  "versions": []
}