9-Year Analysis of Trends in the Radiation Oncology Residency Match

Abstract

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> To assess the trends in Radiation Oncology residency applicants, programs, and positions from 2013 to 2021. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> United States Radiation Oncology residency program and applicant data were obtained from the National Resident Matching Program, Main Residency Match, Charting Outcomes, and Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) reports from 2013 to 2021. <h3>Results</h3> The total number of U.S. MD senior Radiation Oncology applicants decreased from 339 in 2017 to 193 in 2021. This corresponded to a decrease in the mean applications received per program from 167.0 to 100.2 applications. In contrast, the number of applicants who were not U.S. MD Seniors (DO & IMG) increased from 38 (11.2%) in 2017 to 106 (54.9%) in 2021. The total number of positions offered (PGY-1 & PGY-2) increased steadily from 183 in 2013 to 207 in 2019, after which there was a sharp decline to 189 and 188 in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The mean number of Radiation Oncology-specific applications per applicant decreased from 39.1 in 2017 to 20.7 in 2021. The number of positions per U.S. senior remained steady from 2014 to 2018 at 1.0. However, this ratio has increased each year since 2018 and reached 1.9 positions per U.S. MD senior applicant in 2021. The mean number of unfilled programs (PGY-1 & PGY-2) prior to Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) from 2013 to 2018 was 4.8 programs (5.4% of all programs) compared to a now-increased mean of 25.0 unfilled programs (27.7% of all programs) from 2019 to 2021. From 2014 to 2020, the match rate for Radiation Oncology residency applicants increased from 89% to 99%. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Despite an increase in interest among DO and IMG applicants and recent efforts to decrease the number of available Radiation Oncology residency positions, a continued rise in the number of positions offered relative to U.S. applicants has led to a growing number of unfilled programs. As a result, measures should be taken to increase exposure to Radiation Oncology during medical school and to make our field more appealing to medical students who may be considering Radiation Oncology as their ultimate career choice.