Analysis of National Resident Matching Program for Radiology Fellowships - Factors Affecting Program Fill Rates

Abstract

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is utilized by an increasing number of diagnostic radiology (DR) residents applying to subspecialty fellowships. Data characterizing Match outcomes based on program characteristics is limited. We sought to determine if fellowship or residency size, location, or perceived reputation was related with a program filling their quota. Using public NRMP data from 2004-2022, DR residency, Breast Imaging (BI), Musculoskeletal (MSK), Interventional (IR), and Neuroradiology (NR) fellowship programs were characterized by geography, DR and fellowship quota, applicants per position (A/P), and reputation as determined by being an Aunt Minnie's Best DR Program Semifinalist, Doximity 2021-2022 Top 25, or US World News and Report (USWNR) Top Hospital. The DR program's reputation was substituted for fellowships at the same institution. A program was considered filled if it met quota. The 2022 A/P ratios were 1.02 (IR), 0.83 (BI), 0.75 (MSK), and 0.88 (NR). IR was excluded from additional analysis due to A/P >1. The combined BI, MSK, and NR fellowships filled 78% (529/679) positions and 56% (132/234) programs. Factors associated with higher program filling included: Doximity Top 25, Aunt Minnie Semifinalist, and Top 20 USWNR (p for all <0.001), DR residency quota >9 and fellowship quota >3 (p=<0.01). The Ohio Valley (Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky) filled the lowest at 39% of programs (p=0.06). Larger fellowship programs with a higher perceived reputation and larger underlying DR residency programs were significantly more likely to fill their NRMP quota.