The Ides of March: The Match 1993 in Perspective

Background: The total number of US medical school graduates who selected categorical programs in internal medicine in this year’s match fell by 7.9%. Consequently, the program fill rate for US graduates declined for the eighth consecutive year, from 55.9% to 53.1%. Preliminary positions and international graduates continue to increase, though questions remain whether these residents serve as good role models to encourage student interest in internal medicine. Methods: We reviewed the 1993 National Resident Matching Program data and several curricular reforms implemented in our internal medicine clerkship and residency program to evaluate whether such reform might enhance interest in general internal medicine. Results: Reform in our internal medicine clerkship curriculum included increased emphasis on problembased learning and exposure to generalist role models. This resulted in substantial increases on the average miniboard examination and a 22% increase in the number of students pursuing residency in internal medicine from the previous year. Residency curricular reform centered around enhanced ambulatory care teaching along with improved exposure to generalist role models. This resulted in a gradual increase in the number of residency graduates who were staying in general internal medicine from 21% in 1991 to 40% in 1993. Conclusions: Innovative curricular changes in our internal medicine clerkship and residency programs have led to enhanced interest in general internal medicine. Although our results are preliminary, such change is necessary, not only to continue program excellence, but for simple survival.