Demographic Differences in the Radiology Residency Match, 2022 to 2024.

Abstract

Purpose: Ranking preferences by residency programs in the Match could shape the diversity of selective specialties. We investigated demographic characteristics of applicants and matched residents in radiology and other specialties to identify changes in representation.

Methods: Survey data from the National Resident Matching Program were obtained for applicants to radiology (diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, and combined diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine) and nonradiology programs in the 2022 to 2024 Main Residency Matches. Demographics among applicants preferring a specialty and matched residents were compared using χ² tests.

Results: Radiology had a 73.9% match rate (3,486 of 4,718 applicants). Women represented 29.0% of radiology applicants compared with 52.0% in other specialties. In radiology, only US citizenship had higher representation among matched residents compared with applicants (+4.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8%-5.3%) (P = .001). Other demographics were not significantly different between applicants and matched residents in radiology overall. A higher representation of women was observed in matched residents compared with applicants in diagnostic radiology (+2.4%, 95% CI, 0.2%-4.6%) (P = .031) but not interventional radiology (+0.2%, 95% CI, -5.1% to 5.5%) (P = .944). In nonradiology specialties, female sex, nonheterosexual orientation, White race, US citizenship, first-generation medical graduate, and nonurban childhood were associated with higher match rates.

Conclusion: US citizenship but not other demographic variables was associated with higher rates of matching into radiology. Women are underrepresented among radiology applicants and have slightly higher match rates in diagnostic radiology but not interventional radiology.