Trends in MD-PhD representation and match outcomes across competitive specialties, 2007–2024
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Dermatology, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
- 2School of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
- 3School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, United States of America
- 4Department of Dermatology, University of California – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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.
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BibTeX
@article{zhou2026trends,
title = {{Trends in MD-PhD representation and match outcomes across competitive specialties, 2007–2024}},
author = {Albert E. Zhou and Timothy Klufas and Erik Choi and Yee Won Kim and Jenny J. Kim and Akua Sarfo and Brett Sloan and Hao Feng},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357960},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357960},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Trends in MD-PhD representation and match outcomes across competitive specialties, 2007–2024
AU - Albert E. Zhou
AU - Timothy Klufas
AU - Erik Choi
AU - Yee Won Kim
AU - Jenny J. Kim
AU - Akua Sarfo
AU - Brett Sloan
AU - Hao Feng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/10
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357960
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357960
AB - 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.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -