Nephrology training programs and applicants: a very good match.

A critical mission of academic nephrology programs is training the next generation of nephrologists. Attracting high-quality candidates into nephrology training programs is the first step in this process. The training program directors (TPDs) in nephrology launched an initiative several years ago to standardize the application and recruitment process for applicants to their programs. This has recently culminated in the completion of a formal matching process using the Medical Specialties Matching Program (MSMP). This review will outline the history of this process and present the results of the recent matching process in nephrology for applicants who applied to training programs with a start date of July 1, 2009. The authors report that 89% of participating programs and 95% of applicant positions were filled. On the basis of a survey of nephrology TPDs, the match process was successful, with almost all respondents planning on participating in the match with a start date of July 1, 2010. Certain issues remain, including determining the correct number of interviews, how many applicants to rank, and whether four tracks are necessary. It is concluded that the nephrology match is of benefit to both training programs and applicants.