According to , nearly 400 more U.S. medical students chose primary care residencies in this year’s Main Residency Match than did in 2012, according to data from the National Resident Matching Program.
The number of U.S. medical students choosing residency positions in internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics all rose in 2013, with internal medicine getting the biggest boost. The number of U.S. seniors matching to internal medicine rose by 194, while pediatric matches with U.S. seniors increased by 105 and family medicine rose by 33.
The results point to an increased interest in primary care that has been percolating over the last few years.
Mona M. Signer, executive director of the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), said the 2010 Affordable Care Act may be driving some of the interest.
“There is a lot of talk about the fact that the Affordable Care Act is going to create demand for more physicians, in particular more primary care physicians. Perhaps that is finally starting to resonate with U.S. seniors,” Ms. Signer said in an interview.
