The Computer Match Process

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to summarize the results of a survey distributed by the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) to assess applicants’ experience with the 2018 and 2019 Breast Imaging Fellowship Match process. Methods In this institutional review board–exempt study, the SBI issued an anonymous survey to all matched applicants in an attempt to gauge their experience with the 2018 and 2019 Match process. Results The survey was sent to all 2018 and 2019 matched applicants and 105/236 (45%) responses were received. The majority (75%, 79/105) of respondents reported a positive experience with the Match, with at least a 4/5 rating, and only 3% (5/105) reported a rating below 3/5. There was some improvement in 2019, with 86% (24/28) of respondents reporting at least a 4/5 rating compared to 71% (55/77) in 2018. No respondent reported a score below a 3/5 rating in 2019. The most commonly cited issues with the Match were the timing of the Match process, the need for a universal application, and the burden of travel. Location and program reputation were the two most important factors contributing to the final rank order of programs. Conclusion The great majority of applicants felt that the Match created a positive experience. Planned areas of improvement include the implementation of a universal application, the transition to virtual interviews, and a condensed timeline. These measures are likely to increase applicant satisfaction and provide a fair and efficient experience for future breast radiologists.

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Book Review Selecting a Residency: Making sense of the match process Produced by the American Medical Student Association. VHS videocassette, approximate running time 32 min. Reston, Va., American Medical Student Association, 1989. $200.

New England Journal of Medicine ◽

10.1056/nejm199011223232124 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 323 (21) ◽

pp. 1494-1494

Author(s):

Curtis Prout

Keyword(s):

Medical Student ◽

American Medical ◽

Running Time ◽

Making Sense ◽

Match Process ◽

American Medical Student Association ◽

Student Association ◽

American Medical Student

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Reply: Combining Efforts for Positive Progress in the Graduate Medical Education Match Process

Annals of the American Thoracic Society ◽

10.1513/annalsats.201705-401le ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 1358-1358

Author(s):

Gabriel T. Bosslet ◽

John D. Buckley

Keyword(s):

Medical Education ◽

Graduate Medical Education ◽

Graduate Medical ◽

Match Process

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Outcomes in the Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Match, 2010-2017

Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/2325967118771845 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 (5) ◽

pp. 232596711877184 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mary K. Mulcahey ◽

Meghan K. Hayes ◽

Christopher M. Smith ◽

Matthew J. Kraeutler ◽

Jeffrey D. Trojan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sports Medicine ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fellowship Program ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Match Process ◽

Match Rate ◽

Fellowship Programs ◽

The Mean ◽

Orthopaedic Society ◽

American Orthopaedic

Background: Sports medicine is one of the most competitive fellowships in orthopaedic surgery. Despite its popularity, fellowship applicants have limited understanding of the orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship match process. Purpose: To define key outcomes in the orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship match, including the overall match rate, number of programs filled, and number of applicants ranked by programs that filled between 2010 and 2017. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study utilized data regarding the orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship match collected by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) from 2010 through 2017. Applicant data included number of applicants, number of matched and unmatched applicants, and percentage of applicants matching into their top choices. Fellowship program data included number of programs participating in the match and number of applicants ranked by filled and unfilled programs. Results: Between 2010 and 2017, the mean number of orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship applicants was 244.8. On average, 92.0% of applicants matched into a fellowship program. The mean number of programs participating in the fellowship match was 92.9, with a mean of 219.9 accredited positions and 5.4 nonaccredited positions. Over the time period studied, a mean of 75.8% of programs matched all available positions. Programs that matched fully ranked 9.0 applicants per position, on average, compared with a mean of 6.5 applicants ranked per position among programs that did not fully match ( P = .0016). Conclusion: From 2010 to 2017, the number of applicants, positions available, overall match rate, and number of programs participating in the orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship match have remained consistent. The mean number of applicants per position ranked by fully matched fellowship programs was 9.0 compared with a mean of 6.5 applicants per position ranked by programs that did not fully match. These data may be helpful as we look to the future of orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship positions and the match process. In addition, this study reveals characteristics that divide sports medicine fellowship programs that fully match from those that do not. Applicants and/or fellowship program directors may utilize this information to modify their approach to the match process going forward.

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