Brain injury medicine fellowship program growth and application rates: 2017 to 2024.

Abstract

Background: The American Board of Medical Specialties recognized brain injury medicine (BIM) as a subspecialty certification for physicians from diverse training backgrounds. Increasing the number of physicians pursuing BIM fellowship training remains imperative given the increasing prevalence of patients with traumatic brain injuries.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of BIM fellowship applicants from 2017 to 2024. The annual volume of available training positions, applications, match rates, and unfilled training positions were calculated.

Results: The annual volume of BIM training programs (16 to 26, 63% increase), training positions (17 to 31, 82% increase), and applicants (16 to 26, 63% increase) increased over the study period (p < 0.001). The annual applicant-to-training position ratio ranged between 0.7-1.2 with no significant change over the study period (p = 0.598). In total, there were 198 available training positions and 39 went unfilled (20%). The rate of unfilled training positions (12% to 16%, p = 0.601) and annual match rates (94%-100%, p = 0.958) did not change. Most applicants matched at their first-choice (45%) or second-choice (16%) fellowship programs.

Conclusions: There were 198 BIM fellowship positions available over the study period and 39 went unfilled (20%). Coordinated efforts may stimulate earlier physician interest in BIM training to meet future demands.