PHILADELPHIA March 21, 2025 -- The record high number and percentage of internal medicine positions offered in the 2025 Main Residency Match confirmed the essential role of internal medicine physicians in meeting U.S. healthcare needs. Internal medicine remains the largest training specialty, offering more than one-quarter (27%) of all PGY-1 positions in the Match. Internal medicine programs offered a record high 10,941 categorical positions within a record high 758 training programs. A record high 10,584 categorical positions (96.7%) were filled, resulting in the first Match of over 10,000 physicians into internal medicine training. However, primary care internal medicine Match positions declined to 411 offered positions, continuing a 5-year-long decline.
Of the categorial positions, 5,664 (53.5%) were matched by U.S. medical school seniors, 1,145 (10.8%) were filled by U.S. citizen students/graduates of international medical school (U.S. IMGs), and 3575 (33.8%) were filled by non-U.S. citizen students/graduates of international medical school (non-US IMGs).
“The record number of offered and matched internal medicine training positions reflects national recognition for the importance of internal medicine as a cornerstone for U.S. health care,” said Davoren Chick, MD, FACP, ACP Chief Learning Officer. “Internal medicine physicians are experts in clinical complexity who partner with patients to optimize patient-centered care. We specialize in diagnostic evaluations, acute problem management, preventive care, critical care, and long-term care for complex conditions. Internal medicine physicians also advance knowledge through research and serve as leaders in hospitals and ambulatory settings across the U.S.
“The Match also confirmed the essential role of international medical graduates (IMGs) in serving U.S. healthcare needs. With more than one third of positions matched by non-U.S. IMGs, provision of essential frontline care within the U.S. healthcare system is truly a multinational effort. IMGs are mission critical to the provision of healthcare in the U.S., not only during training through their service to teaching hospitals but also following training through their disproportionately large role in meeting the needs of medically underserved populations throughout the nation,” she added.
ACP continues to be concerned about the continued decline in offered and matched primary care positions given the nationwide shortage of primary care physicians. ACP supports adoption of a national workforce policy that would promote a mix of physician specialties that meets the health care needs of our population, including internal medicine specialists in primary and comprehensive care of adults and adolescents. ACP also supports adequate payments for primary care services, lifting caps on Graduate Medical Education for specialties facing shortages, and healthcare delivery system reforms to encourage an increase in the supply of internal medicine physicians and other primary care physicians.
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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.
Contact: Andrew Hachadorian, 215 351 2514, ahachadorian@acponline.org