Number of Anesthesiology Residents Applying to Pain Medicine Fellowships Decreasing

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The number of anesthesiology residents applying to pain medicine decreased 45 percent from 2019 to 2023, according to a study published in the January issue of PAIN Practice.

Scott G. Pritzlaff, M.D., from the University of California-Davis in Sacramento, and colleagues examined trends in fellowship applications to pain medicine programs using data from the Electronic Residency Application Service and the National Resident Matching Program from 2019 to 2023. Preliminary data were also examined from the 2024 match cycle.

The researchers found a decrease in anesthesiology residents applying to pain medicine fellowships, from 351 applications in 2019 to 193 in 2023. There was a 45 percent decline in anesthesia-based applicants to pain medicine fellowships, indicating the highest detriment among anesthesiology applicants relative to other specialties. Gender disparities were prevalent, with a decrease in the absolute number of female applicants every year since 2019. The 2023 match saw a significant number of unfilled programs; of 115 programs, 35 failed to fill all positions. This downward trend seems to be continuing based on preliminary data from 2024.

“Addressing the challenges of declining fellowship applicants requires collaborative efforts from program directors and medical educators,” the authors write. “By fostering a deeper understanding of career preferences and market dynamics, the field of pain medicine can navigate these changes and ensure a robust workforce equipped to meet society”s evolving health care needs.”

One author disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical and publishing industries.

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