Interest in pediatric subspecialties continues to flourish, according to results of the 2019 Pediatric Specialties Match. Training begins in July for the 1,361 people who matched.
Traditionally, two pediatric subspecialty matches were held each year. Now, a merged annual subspecialty match is held for pediatric cardiology, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric nephrology, pediatric pulmonology, pediatric critical care medicine, pediatric emergency medicine, pediatric rheumatology, academic general pediatrics, child abuse, developmental-behavioral pediatrics, neonatal-perinatal medicine, pediatric endocrinology, pediatric hematology/oncology, pediatric hospital medicine, pediatric infectious diseases and pediatric transplant hepatology.
The Pediatric Subspecialty Match for appointment year 2020 saw a 4.9% increase in filled positions. Of 83.6% filled positions, the top two were pediatric emergency medicine and pediatric hospital medicine (at least 90% of positions). Pediatric endocrinology and pediatric infectious diseases filled less than 65% of positions offered.
The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) uses an algorithm to place applicants into residency and fellowship positions. The algorithm bases each match on the applicant’s rank order list, not the program’s rank order list. This matching method supports residents’ preferences, according to the NRMP. Applicants can boost their likelihood of matching by providing multiple items on their rank-order lists. Shorter rank order lists increase the chance of being unmatched.
The rank order list certification deadline is Feb. 26 for the Main Match. The NRMP urges applicants to enter rank order lists into the system before the deadline. Feb. 26 also is the deadline for late registrations and the deadline to withdraw from the match.
Match Day 2020 is March 20.
