Trends in Neuroradiology Fellowship Match in the United States: Analysis of the 13-Year National Resident Matching Program Data

Abstract

The neuroradiology fellowship match is conducted by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) every year. The purpose of this study is to report the trends in neuroradiology match results from 2008 to 2020 in the United States (US) using data available from the NRMP. The fellowship match data was obtained from the NRMP archives. Data specific to programs (number of programs and filled positions) were obtained. Using the NRMP's "Charting Outcomes in the Match: Specialty Matching Service'' report, a detailed analysis of applicant characteristics broken down for each specialty, was also obtained for neuroradiology for the year 2018. Neuroradiology programs in the NRMP Match increased from 71 to 77 and the number of positions increased from 158 to 270 between 2008 and 2020. The fill rate of fellowship spots has remained steady at 75.9% in 2008 and 74.4% in 2020. The proportion of US allopathic medical graduates (US MD) amongst the filled spots decreased from 79.2% (2008) to 64.2% (2020), while the proportion of international medical graduates (IMGs) increased from 11.7% to 25.4%. US MD and IMG fill trends did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.78 and P = 0.92, respectively). US MDs had a higher number of research experiences and publications (23.2 and 26, respectively) when compared to US IMGs (5 and 7) and non-US IMGs (6.8 and 14.2). To conclude, over the last 13 years, the neuroradiology fellowship programs in the US have increased in number and expanded in size, with an almost stable fill rate of around 75%.