ArticleInternational journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics2021
No Longer a Match: Trends in Radiation Oncology National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Data from 2010-2020 and Comparison Across Specialties.
Article in International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed.
- Being a Radiation Oncologist in Algeria.Cureus · 2025Article
- Demographic variations and temporal trends in hospice and palliative care fellowship matches in the United States.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Assessment of Approaches Promoting Virtual Radiation Oncology Educational Content to Medical Students.Advances in radiation oncology · 2025Article
- Problem-based learning on the WeChat public platform in radiation oncology residency training programs.BMC medical education · 2024Article
- Characterization of Research Mentorship During Medical School for Future Radiation Oncology Trainees.Advances in radiation oncology · 2024Article
- Assessment of Medical Student Research Mentorship in Radiation Oncology.Advances in radiation oncology · 2024Article
- ASO Author Reflections: Is the Future Ripe for Integrated Complex General Surgical Oncology Residency Training?Annals of surgical oncology · 2023Article
- Article
- Are you planning to be a radiation oncologist? A survey by the young group of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (yAIRO).La Radiologia medica · 2023Article
- Evolution in the Presence and Evidence Category of Radiation Therapy Treatment Recommendations in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.Advances in radiation oncologyArticle
- Gender Equity in Radiation Oncology: Culture Change Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint.Advances in radiation oncologyArticle
- Analyzing the Role of Research in the Radiation Oncology Match.Advances in radiation oncologyArticle
- Demographics of ASTRO Student Members and Potential Implications for Future U.S. Radiation Oncology Workforce Diversity.Advances in radiation oncologyArticle
Corrections and comments
- Commented on by
Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
Abstract
purposeTo report trends in the number and types of applicants and matched trainees to radiation oncology in comparison to other specialties participating in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) between 2010 and 2020. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data from the NRMP and Electronic Residency Application System (ERAS) were obtained for 18 medical specialties between 2010 and 2020. We assessed the numbers and types of applicants and matched trainees relative to available positions in the NRMP and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP).
resultsIn the 2020 NRMP, 122 US MD senior graduates preferentially ranked radiation oncology, a significant decrease from a median of 187 between 2010 to 2019 (interquartile range [IQR], 170-192; P < .001). Across all 18 specialties, radiation oncology experienced the greatest declines in the 2020 NRMP cycle relative to 2010 to 2019, in both the number of ERAS applicants from the United States and Canada (-31%) and the percentage of positions filled by US MD or DO senior graduates (-28%). Of 189 available positions, 81% (n = 154) filled in the NRMP prior to the SOAP, of which 65% (n = 122) were "matched" by US MD senior graduates who preferentially ranked radiation oncology as their top choice of specialty, representing a significant decrease from a median of 92% between 2010 to 2019 (IQR, 88%-94%; P = .002). The percentages of radiation oncology programs and positions unfilled in the NRMP prior to the SOAP were significantly increased in 2020 compared with 2010 to 2019 (programs: 29% vs 8% [IQR, 5%-8%; P < .001]; positions: 19% vs 4% [IQR, 2%-4%; P <.001]). Despite >99% (n = 127 of 128) of US MD or DO senior applicants preferring radiation oncology successfully matching to a radiation oncology position in the 2020 NRMP, 16 of 35 remaining unfilled positions were filled via the SOAP. Radiation oncology was the top user of the SOAP across all specialties participating in the 2020 NRMP, filling 15% of total positions versus a median of 0.9% (IQR, 0.3%-2.3%; P <.001).
conclusionsThe supply of radiation oncology residency positions now far exceeds demand by graduating US medical students. Efforts to nullify a market correction revealed by medical student behavior via continued reliance on the SOAP to fill historical levels of training positions may not be in the best of interest of trainees, individual programs, or the specialty as a whole.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.