Record Highs for Registrants, Matching in 2016 Match for Medical Students

(HealthDay News) — The 2016 Match was the largest ever recorded by the National Resident Matching Program, with a higher match rate that 2015, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).

The 2016 Match had 42 370 total registrants; 1036 more than in 2015. Overall, 30 750 positions were available, an increase of 538 from 2015. There were 27 860 first-year positions available, an increase of 567 from 2015. Up from last year, the overall match rate was 96.2% in 2016, with 96.3% of first-year positions filled. There was an increase in the number of active US allopathic seniors participating in the Match to 18 187.

The match rate increased for participating US citizens who are seniors/graduates of foreign medical schools, reaching 53.9% for US citizen international medical graduates. Overall, 53.0% of US allopathic seniors obtained their first choice for training; 79.2% obtained 1 of their top 3 choices. A total of 1046 active couples navigated the Match together, with a match rate of 95.7% for couples. Overall, 2982 US osteopathic seniors/graduates submitted preferences, with a match rate of 80.3%.

“Concerns remain that residency training programs may not be able to address the estimated shortage of physicians, which could range from 61 700 to 94 700 over the next decade,” according to the report. “The country would need up to an additional 96 000 physicians today to meet these needs.”

Reference

1. Mullaney T. 2016 Match by the numbers. AMA website. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/ama-wire/post/2016-match-numbers. April 11, 2016. Accessed April 23, 2016.