Effects of the 2003 match on the radiology fellowship application process

To explore the effects of the newly instituted 2003 radiology fellowship match on the fellowship application process.

Survey questionnaires were distributed to third year radiology residents during the March 2003 AFIP session. One hundred fourteen surveys were returned and reviewed. The questionnaire included whether the resident applied to fellowship programs and why, to which subspecialty they applied and whether the match had complicated or facilitated their application process. All questions (except for the subspecialty selected) were multiple choice and residents were encouraged to provide additional comments. Some residents did not answer all the questions.

Seventy-five percent of residents applied to fellowship programs and 25% did not. Of those who did apply, the match complicated the application process for 58%, facilitated the process for 7%, did not effect 34% and both complicated and facilitated the process for 1%. Twenty-eight percent of residents for whom the match had no effect accepted fellowship positions outside the match. Complications included lack of uniform program participation in the match, absence of uniform acceptance of a universal application, lack of program awareness regarding the match timeline and structure, and increased monetary expense and time commitment involved with the match. The internal filling of fellowship positions was valued by some residents and viewed as unfair by others. The three most common fellowships applied to were musculoskeletal imaging, neuroradiology and body imaging.

Overall, residents considered the match as unfavorable. Complications relating to the newness of the match could be resolved, inherent problems must be accepted, while other issues need further evaluation.