Abstract Details

Title Trends in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Headache Medicine Match Data and the Evolution of the Headache Fellowship Application Process: A Retrospective Observational Study

Topic Education, Research, and Methodology

Presentation(s) P3 - Poster Session 3 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 7-004

Background

The NRMP Headache Medicine fellowship match was implemented for appointment years 2016-2018 and then suspended because of the small number of applicants relative to available positions and participation outside of the match. In 2019, the American Headache Society (AHS) Consortium of Academic Program Directors accepted the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Fellowship Application Timing Position Statement. To implement the unified timeline, the AHS agreed to host a fellowship opportunities website. The Consortium voted to reinstate the match in 2022.

Objective

To examine the trends in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Headache Medicine match data and the evolution of the Headache Medicine fellowship application process.

Design/Methods

We obtained NRMP match data for appointment years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024 with permission and assistance from the NRMP Data and Research department. We also obtained website metrics from the AHS National Headache Fellowship Opportunities website for 2020-2023. Quantitative data were summarized with descriptive statistics. The study was reviewed and approved by Stanford University’s Institutional Review Board IRB (Protocol ID: 71480).

Results

The number of certified programs and positions more than doubled and the number of certified applicants more than tripled from appointment year 2016 to 2024. Program fill rate has increased over time, from a low point of 26.7% to 61.0%. The AHS National Headache Fellowship Opportunities website receives program inquiry submissions from 73-88 unique users each application cycle. Around a quarter of these submissions are from international candidates from outside of the United States.

Conclusions

The Headache Medicine fellowship application process has undergone a significant transformation from 2015 to 2023. The number of programs and applicants participating in the NRMP match increased significantly over time, in the setting of implementing the AAN’s unified application timeline and launching the AHS National Headache Fellowship Opportunities website.

Authors/Disclosures
Noah Rosen, MD, FAAN PRESENTER	Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Northwell Health. An immediate family member of Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of New York University. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Allergan/ Abbvie. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Eli Lilly. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Lundbeck. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Pfizer . Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Allergan/ Abbvie. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Springer. Dr. Rosen has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Speaker with American Headache Society.
Niushen Zhang, MD (Stanford University)	Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose.
Cynthia E. Armand, MD (Montefiore Medical Headache Center)	Dr. Armand has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. Dr. Armand has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for TEVA. Dr. Armand has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Spire Learning. Dr. Armand has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for JAMA Neurology.