Medical school seniors, others matched to residency slots

A record 17,057 U.S. medical school seniors were matched to first-year residency positions Friday through the National Resident Matching Program, 125 more than last year. A total of 27,860 first-year positions were offered, 567 more than last year. More than 96% of first-year positions were filled, including 13,484 in primary care specialties. Applicants include medical school seniors and graduates, and students and graduates of osteopathic and international medical schools. Darrell Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, urged Congress “to act without delay to increase the number of residency training positions,” noting that the nation faces a projected shortage of up 90,000 physicians in the next decade. AHA supports the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act (S. 1148/H.R. 2124), legislation that would end the 19-year freeze on Medicare-funded residency positions.