Think Research Doesn’t Matter in Psychiatry? Match Data from 2014–2024 Say Otherwise

Objective: This study assesses the evolving importance of research output in psychiatry residency applications, particularly after the 2019 announcement that the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 (USMLE Step 1) would shift to pass/fail scoring. Methods: Public National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) data from 2014 to 2024 were analyzed to compare research output (mean abstracts, presentations, publications) between matched and unmatched U.S. MD psychiatry applicants. Linear regression and interaction analysis evaluated trends over time and the impact of Step 1’s policy shift. Results: Mean research output among matched applicants increased from 3.8 (2014) to 7.5 (2024); unmatched applicants increased from 1.1 to 4.6. The gap between matched and unmatched applicants widened significantly, especially in the most recent cycle. Regression analysis confirmed that year 2024 was a strong predictor of increasing research output (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Psychiatry is becoming more competitive, and research productivity is increasingly predictive of match success, particularly after Step 1 became pass/fail. Contrary to common belief, research output now plays a significant role in distinguishing successful applicants.