Potential Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Pharmacy Residency Match Rate and Match Participation

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate if a correlation exists between a student's self -identified race or ethnicity and their rates of participating in the match or matching with a pharmacy residency. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pharmacy graduates from 2016 through 2021 at two schools/ colleges of pharmacy, a Historically Black College or University and a non -Historically Black College or University. The primary outcome was to compare the percentage of underrepresented minority (URM) students and non-URM students who successfully matched with a postgraduate year 1 pharmacy residency. The secondary outcomes compared rates of participation in the match and the effects of student -related factors that influenced match success and participation rates between URM students and non-URM students. Results: Of the 900 included students, 273 participated in the match. The match rate among students participating in the match was 53.5% (146 of 273) with 50.3% (84 of 167) in the URM group compared to 58.5% (62 of 106) in the non-URM group (P = .186) successfully matching. Rates of match participation were lower for students identified as URM (26% vs 39.3%, P < .001). When adjusting for previously published predictors of match success, URM status did not significantly affect match rates or match participation. Conclusion: At two schools of pharmacy, URM students were less likely to participate in the match but just as likely to match to an American Society of Health -System Pharmacists residency in the univariable analysis. However, when adjusting for other characteristics, there was no difference in match participation or match success in students who self -identified as URM.