Rheumatology has previously been a less attractive career choice than other internal medicine (IM) subspecialties. Recent fellowship data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) has suggested that this may have changed. Therefore, we evaluated the current attractiveness of rheumatology as a career choice and compared it with other medical subspecialties.
Data from the NRMP from 2008 to 2017, the 2015 American College of Rheumatology workforce study, and Medscape physician salaries from 2010 to 2017 were used to determine annual numbers of fellowship applicants, availability of positions, and post-fellowship salary trends. Data from 2008 to 2013 were compared with those from 2014 to 2017, and rheumatology was compared with other IM subspecialties.
The total number of annual fellowship applicants to rheumatology for 2008-2013 decreased by 3% (average annual mean ± SEM percentage change of -1.9 ± 2.6%), from 251 to 244 applicants. However, for 2014-2017, annual rheumatology applications increased by 44% (average annual mean ± SEM percentage change of 20.7 ± 10.5% [P = 0.03]), from 230 to 332 applicants. Other nonprocedural and procedural IM subspecialties did not exhibit a similar increase. For rheumatology, the increases in the ratio of annual applicants to positions (P = 0.02) and in the percentage of US medical graduates applying (P = 0.03) were statistically significant, and mean post-fellowship salary also rose.
The aforementioned observations suggest that rheumatology has become a more attractive career choice since 2014. We speculate that the increasing popularity of the field is multifactorial, likely reflecting lifestyle, job satisfaction and availability, influence of mentors, and other elements. This salutary and exciting potential opportunity for rheumatology should be exploited.