(117) Impact of the Single Accreditation System on MD/DO Representation in Otolaryngology Residency Programs (2016-2025)

Introduction: In 2015, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) initiated a transition to a single-accreditation system for U.S. otolaryngology residency programs, which concluded in 2020 with 13 of the original 20 AOA-accredited programs obtaining ACGME accreditation. The 2024–2025 academic year marks the first fully matriculated cohort trained entirely under this unified accreditation framework.

Methods: The 2016–2025 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Results and Data were reviewed to assess MD and DO applicant numbers and match rates. Websites for the 13 formerly AOA Otolaryngology programs were examined for current MD-DO resident composition. Changes in total Otolaryngology positions and positions originating from former AOA programs were recorded.

Results: From 2016 to 2025 the total number of ACGME accredited Otolaryngology positions increased by 90 positions per year. The total number of MD applicants increased by 133 and DO applicants increased by 5. Following SAS completion, DO match rates rose from 43% in 2021 to 63% in 2025, whereas MD match rates remained higher (68–82%). Former AOA programs continue to enroll predominantly DO residents, with MD representation remaining low ( < 15%). Similarly, DO match rates in historically MD based programs remained low.

Conclusions: The SAS has not meaningfully altered the MD-DO distribution within otolaryngology programs. While the DO match rates appear to be rising, this likely represents the transition of positions from the AOA to the ACGME accreditation. Overall residency composition remains aligned to pre-merger patterns. Continued monitoring is needed to assess long-term integration.