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. 2024 Jul 10;37(5):888-893.
doi: 10.1080/08998280.2024.2374149. eCollection 2024.

Shifting tides in cardiology fellowship: an analysis of trends and the virtual interview revolution, 2017 to 2021

Saeed Abughazaleh  1 , Omar Obeidat  2   3 , Mohammad Tarawneh  1 , Hashim Al-Ani  2   3 , Mohamed F Ismail  2   3 , Saqr Alsakarneh  4
Affiliations

Shifting tides in cardiology fellowship: an analysis of trends and the virtual interview revolution, 2017 to 2021

Saeed Abughazaleh et al. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). .

Abstract

Introduction: This investigation aimed to delineate the trends in cardiology fellowship applications and match rates between 2017 and 2021, with a particular focus on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Utilizing data from the National Resident Matching Program and the American Board of Internal Medicine covering 6693 applicants, we conducted chi-square tests to assess match rate variations. IBM SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The study noted an increase in matched US MD applicants (from 482 in 2017 to 549 in 2021, P = 0.0001) but a decrease in their match rate (from 89.8% to 83.1%). Matched US DO applicants rose significantly from 60 in 2017 to 103 in 2021 (P = 0.0001). A decline in first-choice matches and an increase in matches beyond the third choice were observed after the shift to virtual interviews.

Conclusions: The study's analysis of cardiology fellowship trends from 2017 to 2021 underscores the escalating competitiveness in this field and signals a critical need for further research.

Keywords: American Board of Internal Medicine; cardiology; doctor of osteopathic medicine; healthcare workforce planning; match rates.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no funding or conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Trends in cardiology fellowship match rates by demographic groups, 2017–2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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