Encouraging Rheumatology Fellowship Match for 2021 Save

The results of the National Residents Matching Program (NRMP) match in rheumatology are out and show that rheumatology fellowship was both competitive and highly sought after.

Rheumatology was among the most competitive of subspecialties, that included Allergy and Immunology, Cardiovascular Disease, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Gastroenterology, Hematology and Oncology, and Pulmonary/Critical Care (all filling >95 of the positions and > 50% U.S. MD graduates). Rheumatology, by comparison, filled 96% (118/123) of positions with 42.4% US graduates. 

Overall, 73% (246/338) of those interested in rheumatology were able to match for a 2021 position.  In an ACR press release on the match, Dr. Beth Jonas said, “The quality of the applicants continues to be excellent,” and noted that “Over the last four match cycles, rheumatology matches increased by seven percent. We also added 15 new programs and 36 slots for first-year trainees. Overall, rheumatology is strong, competitive, and growing in popularity as evidenced by the applicants we are attracting.”

The ACR's rheumatology training and workforce committee is especially interested in the unmatched group given the anticipated workforce shortage by 2030. The ACR is committed to finding ways to increase training slots and to fill underserved geographic areas where patients have limited or no access to rheumatology specialty care.