The following information is provided for each of the 20 specialties:

Description of the specialty: This section provides a brief overview of the type of clinical practice setting, patient population seen and regular clinical activities of many specialists in the field (REFERENCES: Graduate Medical Education Directory)

Length of training required for board eligibility: This section provides information on the minimal length of training required for the resident to become eligible for board certification in the specialty. (REFERENCE: Graduate Medical Education Directory)

Up-to-date matching results for U.S. senior medical students who applied for a residency training position in the specialty: This section provides information on the number of categorical/advanced positions offered, percent of U.S. seniors matched in the specialty and number of unmatched applicant (or unmatched US seniors). (REFERENCES: National Resident Matching Program Data, Ophthalmology Matching Program, and Urology Matching Program.)

IMPORTANT: A complete overview with detailed information about these matching programs and the matching process results is available at the web sites for each of the independent matching programs (web links provided in each specialty section) as well as in the journal Academic Medicine, which annually publishes a summary of the NRMP Match shortly after completion of the matching process.

Subspecialty/Fellowship training: This section provides information on subspecialty/advanced training programs which are available to physicians who have completed residency training in the specialty.(REFERENCE:Graduate Medical Education Directory)

Career information: FREIDA physcian workforce information for each specialty includes statistical information on the number of positions/programs for residency training, resident workhours, resident work environment and compensation, employment status upon completion of program and work environment for those entering practice in each specialty.