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The United States Neurological Surgery Residency Matching Program
B C Pevehouse1, A Colenbrander
1Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville.
Neurosurgery
|December 1, 1994
Summary
The national Neurological Surgery Matching Program, established in 1985, has successfully placed nearly all applicants. However, the program faces a persistent challenge with a nearly 2:1 applicant-to-position ratio, leaving many qualified candidates unmatched.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Education
- Residency Matching
Background:
- The Society of Neurological Surgeons established a national matching program for neurosurgical residency positions in 1983.
- Implementation began in 1985, with all U.S. neurosurgery residency programs agreeing to participate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the first 10 years of the Neurological Surgery Matching Program (1983-1994).
- To assess the program's success, applicant/program director satisfaction, and identify challenges.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 11 national neurosurgery matches between 1983 and 1994.
- Examination of applicant numbers, filled positions, unmatched applicants, and program participation.
Main Results:
- The matching program demonstrated high acceptance and satisfaction among applicants and program directors.
- Over 10 years, 1455 positions were offered, with 1434 filled initially, leaving 1274 unmatched applicants (nearly 2:1 ratio).
- Data on International Medical Graduates, multiple-year applicants, and resident attrition rates were analyzed.
Conclusions:
- The Neurological Surgery Matching Program has been largely successful in its initial decade.
- A significant number of qualified applicants remain unmatched due to the high applicant-to-position ratio.
- Variations in medical school performance in the match may correlate with undergraduate neurosurgery exposure and program availability.
