Matching Trends for the Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Since Participation in the National Residency Match Program.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the level of interest in the fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (FMIGS) using data from the National Residency Match Program (NRMP) over the past 5 years.

DESIGN

Retrospective report (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

Publicly reported data from the NRMP.

PARTICIPANTS

Applicants using the NRMP to match into fellowship training.

INTERVENTIONS

Reporting matching trends for the gynecologic surgical subspecialty programs starting in 2014, when the FMIGS programs began participating in the NRMP.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

From 2014 to 2018, the number of FMIGS positions increased from 28 to 38. Over the 5 application cycles, the FMIGS programs had the highest ratio of applicants to positions overall (range, 1.7-2.0 for FMIGS) of the surgical gynecologic subspecialty programs analyzed (Gynecologic Oncology, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility).

CONCLUSIONS

Since the FMIGS programs began participating in the NRMP in 2014, the FMIGS match has been highly competitive as a gynecologic surgical subspecialty, suggesting a high level of interest from residency graduates. This may reflect growing recognition that there is a body of knowledge unique to minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons.