Factors associated with publication in scientific journals in medical residency applicants in Peru

Abstract

Introduction: The ability to publish in scientific journals can be a determining factor in identifying the most competitive candidates during the medical residency selection process.

Objective: To Identify the factors associated with publication in scientific journals among medical residency applicants in Peru.

Method: An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted. A random sample of applicants for the 2020 National Medical Residency Admission Competition and their socio-educational characteristics were selected. A Google Scholar search was conducted to identify applicants with publications in scientific journals. Crude prevalence ratios (PR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals using generalized linear models (GLM).

Results: Of the 639 medical residency applicants, 11.4% published at least one article in a scientific journal. Factors associated with the adjusted analysis included scoring in the highest tertile on the National Medical Examination (ENAM) (aPR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.38, p = 0.002), having completed three or more years of university graduation (aPR 0.94, 0.90 to 0.99, p = 0.016), and applying for a public health specialty (aPR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.85, p = 0.029).

Conclusion: Ten out of every hundred residency applicants in Peru published in scientific journals. Factors associated with an increased likelihood of publication included a higher ENAM score and choosing a public health specialty. On the other hand, applicants who had graduated from university for three or more years were less likely to publish in scientific journals.