Long-Term Trends in Applicants for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Positions

Objective To examine long-term trends in applicants for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowship positions specifically following the prolongation of fellowship training in 1997 from 2 to 3 years. Study Design We conducted a review of the data from the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) from 1992 to 2013 in order to compare the numbers of total applicants with those who matched. Results There was a significant decline in the number of applicants per year between 1997 and 2001. In the subsequent 12 years, the number of applicants exceeded the number of positions with nearly all programs being filled per year. After reaching a nadir of 60 fellowship positions in 2000, the numbers of programs and positions increased gradually to levels now equal to before prolongation of training. Conclusions These findings should be helpful as pursuit of fellowship training is being considered earlier in residency and as the balance between generalists and subspecialists in obstetrics and gynecology is being more closely evaluated.