Match Day 2016 Shows Interest in Family Medicine Continues Upward Trend
The 2016 National Resident Matching Program's main residency match (aka, The Match) resulted in the largest number on record of registered applicants (42,370), resident positions offered (30,750) and matched (26,836), and number of graduating medical students choosing Family Medicine in the history of the specialty!
Nationwide, a total of 3,105 medical students are heading to Family Medicine residency programs across the country for graduate medical training. Of those matches, 1,481 positions were filled with U.S. seniors. Right here in Michigan, 123 students were matched with a Michigan Family Medicine residency program. Congratulations to these future Family Physicians!
From one Michigan medical school's perspective, this year's Match also significantly exceeds matches of the past.
"While student interest in Family Medicine has been increasing over time, this is certainly the strongest match for the specialty at Wayne State University in recent history," said Margit Chadwell, MD, Assistant Professor, Medical Student Education, Wayne State University (WSU) Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences. "This year, 13% of WSU School of Medicine graduates matched in Family Medicine, with 40% staying in Michigan. Thank you to the MAFP and MAFP Foundation for their generous and unwavering support of Family Medicine Interest Groups in Michigan and involving students in all aspects of the Academy. I believe that our collective efforts help students explore all that Family Medicine has to offer, and are vital in re-building our Family Physician Workforce here in Michigan."
The MAFP Foundation is accepting grant funding applications from Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) in Michigan for the 2016-2017 academic year. The Foundation's FMIG Funding Initiative is intended to support FMIG activities and efforts to increase student interest in Family Medicine in Michigan. To be considered for 2016-2017 academic year funding from the Foundation, FMIGs must complete the online application no later than April 15.
The uptick in students choosing the Family Medicine specialty is the continuation of a seven-year trend of increases in the number of positions offered (Family Medicine programs offered 43 more positions this year than in 2015), positions filled (95.2% positions were filled this year), and positions filled with U.S. seniors in Family Medicine (45.3% ), according to the AAFP.
However, it is important to note that this year's overall match number reflects the smallest growth since 2012--there was an increase of 45 this year compared to 327 in 2012. That is one reason why MAFP and AAFP remain dedicated to finding policy solutions to grow the pipeline and expand training opportunities for students interested in primary care. Click here to read AAFP's press release.