Background: Physician workforce shortage led to 30% increased enrollment at U.S. allopathic schools, doubling at U.S. osteopathy schools since 2003.
Methods: This descriptive study examined National Residency Match Program (NRMP) data when it became available in 1992 until 2015. Undergraduate medical education was characterized as coming from U.S. medical allopathic or osteopathic schools, or international schools. The likelihood of matching into an ACGME-accredited ob-gyn residency program was examined according to the medical school background during each year.
Results: The total number of applicants who used the NRMP for first-year ob-gyn positions declined from 1,853 in 1993 to 1,366 in 2003. This number increased thereafter, (1,823 in 2015), especially among U.S. medical school graduates (USMG). The number of USMG applicants was less than the total number of first-year ob-gyn positions beginning in 1998 (1,052 for 1,075 positions) through 2015 (1,173 for 1,255 positions). The highest probability of matching was among USMGs (from 76% in 1993 to 85% in 2015). Applicants from osteopathy schools remained constant, which resulted in the greatest increase in probability of matching (from 26% in 1994 to 61% in 2015). Applicants from international medical schools increased gradually. While remaining low, match rates remained higher for U.S-born rather than foreign national IMGs (34% versus 23% in 2015).
Discussions: Increased numbers of applicants for first-year ob-gyn residency positions lowered concerns about insufficient matching. Competition for these positions may increase.
Keywords: applicants, background, match-rate
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2016, Resident, Faculty, Osteopathic Faculty, Residency Director, Residency Coordinator, Medical Knowledge, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, Practice-Based Learning & Improvement, GME, UME, Assessment,
Nancy Sokkary, MD, University of New Mexico School of Medicine; Cristina Murray-Krezan, MA; Kathleen Kennedy, MD; William Rayburn, MD, MBA
