Nephrology Match AY 2018—Preliminary Results
AY 2018 Match Outcomes Unchanged From Last Year
Kurtis A. Pivert, MS 
On December 6, 2017, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) released preliminary results for the appointment year (AY) 2018 nephrology Match, part of the Medical Specialties Matching Program (MSMP). Overall, results were nearly identical to AY 2017—60.1% of fellowship training positions and 42.3% of training programs filled (Table 1). With all eligible programs participating in the All-In Nephrology Match, now in its the third year, total training tracks (Clinical, Research, Clinical-Research, and Other) and positions offered in AY 2018 reflected little change. Preliminary application data from the Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) indicated the AY 2018 Match would closely mirror the AY 2017 application cycle (Figures 5–11).
Key Points
Percentages of unfilled nephrology training tracks (57.7%) and positions (39.9%) were flat over AY 2017 (Figure 1).
U.S. MDs matching in nephrology increased 42% in AY 2018 (91 U.S. MDs, up from 64 in AY 2017).
International Medical Graduate (IMG) residents choosing the specialty declined 16% in AY 2018 after rebounding last year, among several key trends being monitored (Figure 2).
The number of training tracks (+1.5%) and positions (–1.2%) were virtually unchanged, which may reflect the “zero sum” of (at least) 2 training programs in the process of closing and 2 new programs recently receiving initial accreditation.
Similar to last year, 96.1% of candidates preferring nephrology matched in the specialty (Figure 3).
Analysis of post–Match data found the number of 1st-year fellows entering training relatively stable (although slightly declining) since nephrology joined the Match, with 128 positions in AY 2017 filling after Match Day (Figure 4).
Figure 1: Percentage of Unfilled Nephrology Tracks and Positions AY 2009–AY 2018
Source: National Resident Matching Program. http://www.nrmp.org/fellowship-match-data/.
The trend of unfilled nephrology tracks continued in AY 2018 (94 unfilled tracks compared to 95 in AY 2017), and unfilled fellowship positions (+3.2%) increased slightly. The number of positions offered was barely unchanged (up by 7 positions, 1.5%), and total matched candidates increased by only 1 fellow over AY 2017 (285 in AY 2018 compared with 284). Matched osteopathic graduates remained the same (34 in both AY 2017 and AY 2018); however, numbers of U.S. graduates of international medical schools (U.S. IMGs) matching in nephrology were down 9% (Figure 2).
Applicant/fellowship position ratio and percentage of applicants matched could not be calculated because total applicant data were unavailable as of Match Day. Preliminary data indicate they may be close to those observed in AY 2017, 0.70 and 92.2%, respectively. The percentage of candidates preferring nephrology who matched in the specialty maintained its all-time high at 96.1% (Figure 3).
Source: National Resident Matching Program. http://www.nrmp.org/fellowship-match-data/. CAN = Canadian; Fifth = Fifth Pathway.
Source: National Resident Matching Program. http://www.nrmp.org/fellowship-match-data/.
ERAS Application Data
Year-over-year ERAS application data for AY 2018 shadowed AY 2017 numbers closely (Figure 7). Yet when compared with previous cycles (for example, ERAS [AY] 2014 and 2015), the recent drop in applications and candidates point to a potential decline in nephrology’s selectivity (Figure 8–11). Note the post–Match Day bump in applications submitted in December.
For the first time, ERAS provided educational status data for AY 2018 candidates. Unsurprisingly, IMG applications nearly matched all those submitted by U.S. MDs, DOs, and U.S. IMGs combined (Figure 5). Matched fellow totals by educational status were somewhat close to most recent ERAS data (November) for U.S. MD and DO candidates, but lower for IMGs and U.S. IMGs (of note, the number of U.S. IMG candidates swelled 30% in the last 2 months of the application cycle) (Figure 6).
Post–Match Day Trends
Although the number of unfilled positions have increased during nephrology’s tenure in the Match, analysis of post–Match data indicates numbers of 1st-year fellows entering training have remained relatively stable, although declining from their high point in AY 2012. While the gap in the initial period after nephrology re-entered the Match could be explained by housestaff entering internal positions, this may not account for the larger disparities in recent years. In AY 2017, 128 PGY-4 positions were filled after Match Day (Figure 4).
Sources: National Resident Matching Program. http://www.nrmp.org/fellowship-match-data/; Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. http://acgme.org/About-Us/Publications-and-Resources/Graduate-Medical-Education-Data-Resource-Book; ASN Nephrology GME Database.
Source: Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). https://www.aamc.org/services/eras/.
Figure 7: Cumulative ERAS Candidate (left) and Application (right) Data by Month: AY 2017 and AY 2018
Source: Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). https://www.aamc.org/services/eras/.
Source: Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). https://www.aamc.org/services/eras/.
Source: Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). https://www.aamc.org/services/eras/.
Citation
@online{a._pivert2017,
author = {A. Pivert, Kurtis},
title = {Nephrology {Match} {AY} {2018—Preliminary} {Results}},
date = {2017-12-07},
url = {https://data.asn-online.org/posts/ay_2018_match/},
langid = {en}
}