Medical school seniors, others matched to residency slots

A record 16,932 U.S. medical school seniors were matched to first-year residency positions today through the National Resident Matching Program, 533 more than last year. A total of 30,212 first- and second-year positions were offered, including more than 600 new first-year positions, half of which were in primary care specialties. Applicants include medical school seniors and graduates and students and graduates of osteopathic and international medical schools. “Ensuring that the nation has an adequate number of residency training slots is essential, given that the United States faces a significant physician shortage of between 46,000 and 90,000 physicians by 2025,” said Darrell Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges. “…We urge Congress to lift the cap on Medicare support for graduate medical education that has been in place for nearly two decades as soon as possible." The AHA supports legislation that would end the 18-year freeze on the number of physician training positions that Medicare funds by creating at least 15,000 new residency positions.