Factors associated with a successful match in physical medicine and rehabilitation residency based on applicant type...

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) has grown considerably and currently has >100 American College of Graduate Medical Education-accredited residency programs throughout the United States. Comparison of the different applicant types across U.S. allopathic (US-MD), U.S. osteopathic (US-DO), and international medical graduates (IMG) associated with success in matching to this specialty has been limited. We sought to identify the factors that allowed a successful match across different applicant types over a 10-year period.

The National Resident Matching Program Charting Outcomes data were analyzed from 2014 to 2024, with data released biennially, for US-MD, US-DO, and IMG applicants. The factors collected include mean medical licensing examination scores; the number of programs ranked; research, volunteer, and work experiences, as well as research products (including abstracts, publications, or presentations).

Standardized exams greatly impacted match success across all applicant types, with a greater difference in mean medical licensing examination scores for matched compared to unmatched applicants, whereas significantly greater means of extracurriculars additionally contributed to matching for US-DO and IMG applicants. The number of programs ranked was significantly greater in successful matches across all applicant types compared to their unmatched colleagues. When comparing all three applicant pools that successfully matched, the average number of volunteer experiences and programs ranked were the only significantly varying differences, with US-MD and US-DO applicants with greater numbers of programs ranked and volunteer experiences than IMG applicants.

Though the residency application process has been constantly changing over the years, including the MD/DO residency merger, transition to Pass/Fail board examinations, and limitations to the number of experiences allowed on applications, these data provide a baseline understanding of the factors associated with successful match into the field of PM&R.

Information on the factors impacting a successful match may be useful to future applicants and program directors in the field of PM&R.