The NRMP recently published data regarding the most recent Match. Of note, emergency medicine – my specialty – had a whopping 554 positions that remained unfilled. Ouch! Additionally, although the numbers were better than last year, IMGs still struggled: US citizen IMGs saw only a 67.6% Match rate and non-US citizen IMGs had only a 59.4% Match rate.
There is a lot of data to review, so take a look here if you want more information on DO Match rates, specialty competitiveness, and SOAP.
The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) publishes USMLE performance data year after year, and the most recent information regarding the 2022 testing cycle is particularly interesting. Frankly, I’m not sure what to make of it, but performance on Step 1 is notably worse than years prior (e.g. 2021 compared to 2020; 2020 compared to 2019). I’m not sure if this is related to the pandemic, changes in the test itself, or some other factor. Here is the data.
While there is a core curriculum that is a prerequisite for medical school, certain schools require additional coursework or competencies (like the CASPer exam). The AAMC does a good job of keeping up a database of that information, listed by school. An applicant can sort through to see what each institution requires. You might have to do a little bit of digging once you open a school’s link, but the information is usually accessible.
Of note, if a course is required for admission, it’s probably best not to take the class on a pass/fail basis.
The medical school application cycle is revving up soon, so it’s time to get started on your candidacy. Here’s an article I wrote for Student Doctor Network a few years back called “Ten Ways to Improve your Medical School Application.” The piece includes statistical truths, strategies for optimizing your approach, and philosophical guidance. It covers grades, clinical experience, letters of recommendation, where to apply, the MCAT, the personal statement, and your happiness, among other critical factors. Enjoy!
The AAMC published an interesting piece recently showcasing the results of their Physician Specialty Data Report on the interplay of race, gender, and specialty.
It’s worth combing through the data yourself, but here are a few takeaways:
Doctors from underrepresented groups are more concentrated in primary care fields. These specialties are extremely needed and noble, but since primary care is less well remunerated than surgical specialties, it’s worth thinking about the disproportionate density of minority physicians.
Women make up the majority of medical school students for the fourth year in a row.
Women represent a significant minority in surgical specialties like orthopedic surgery (5.9%), thoracic surgery (8.3%) and neurosurgery (9.6%). Ouch.
Focusing on another demographic, the doctor workforce has grown older. Over 46% of active U.S. doctors are 55+. That number was ~38% in 2007.
For more details, read the report here.
Dr. Finkel is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Medical School. On completing her residency at Harvard, she was asked to stay on as faculty at Harvard Medical School and spent five years teaching at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital. She was appointed to the Assistant Residency Director position for the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency where she reviewed countless applications, personal statements and resumes. Read more
