Way Behind in Pediatric Rheumatology Save
While adult rheumatology fellowships have surged in popularity and become quite competitive, more than half of pediatric rheumatology fellowship positions went unfilled in 2024, according to the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
According to Medscape, across all 39 subspecialties in internal medicine and pediatrics, there was an 86% fill rate. In pediatric subspecialties, the fill rate was 78%. There were more than 10,200 applicants in this year’s medicine and pediatric specialties match — a 9% increase from 2023 — and 81% matched to a position.
The NRMP reported that adult rheumatology filled 129 (97.7%) of 132 programs, with 284 (99%) out of 287 positions filled. In 2024, there were five new programs and 11 more fellowship positions available compared with the previous year.
In sharp contrast, only 16 (44%) of 36 In pediatric rheumatology programs were filled, with 27 (49%) of 55 positions filled. This is a notable decrease from 2023, where pediatric rheumatology filled 21 of 38 programs (55%) and 32 (62%) of 52 positions.
This year, 27 of 30 applicants preferring pediatric rheumatology matched to a program, while in 2023 all 32 applicants that preferred pediatric rheumatology matched.
This year, matched applicants to pediatric rheumatology included 13 MD graduates, eight DO graduates, five foreign applicants, and one US citizen international medical graduate.
While some pediatric subspecialties like critical care medicine and cardiology had fill rates over 90%, many “cognitive subspecialties” beyond pediatric rheumatology also struggled to fill spots, including 37% of pediatric nephrology and 48% of pediatric infectious disease positions being filled.
A recent forecast for the future of supply of Pediatric Subspecialists in the United States (2020–2040), also noted significant shortfalls in pediatric rheumatology, along with significant geographic variation and workforce maldistribution. In 2020 there were only 393 certified pediatric rheumatologist; the second least of the 14 subspecialties examined (n=313-5193).
Significant effort and change is needed by all - the ACR, Pediatrics, educators and public health and policy leaders.
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