Results released by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) indicates that the 2002 national fill rate for family practice residency positions was 79 percent (2,357 positions filled of 2,983 position offered), representing an increase from last year’s 76.3 percent. The fill-rate percentage for seniors in the United States fell from 49 percent in 2001 to 47.4 percent in 2002.

The conclusion of the 2002 match was that medical students are continuing to demonstrate a slight preference for medical subspecialties over primary care practice and are selecting careers that provide more flexible lifestyle choices, potential for greater financial incentives, fewer external productivity pressures, and more generous third party-payer reimbursement.