The 2009 match
A message from the Canadian Federation of Medical Students In 2009, 99% of CMGs were matched in either the first iteration or second iteration of the CaRMS Match and 84% matched to one of their top three program choices (both discipline and location). These figures are similar to previous years (99% and 85% in 2008) and indicate a successful overall match for CMGs. In addition, 32.5% of CMGs chose Family Medicine as their first choice discipline, a rate similar to the 2008 rate (32%) that was the highest in a decade. A record number of IMGs (392) were also matched this year but match rates suggest that the presence of IMGs in the match has not had a negative impact on CMG success rates so far. IMGs were included in the first iteration of the match in 2007; most provinces employ a “parallel” match with positions set aside for IMGs, while Quebec and Manitoba maintain an “open” match where all residency positions are available to CMGs and IMGs. For the first time this year, IMGs were allowed to compete against CMGs in the second round of the match in Ontario and Alberta. Despite this change, the match rate of CMGs in the second round actually increased to 79.8% in 2009 from 74.5% in 2008. Also in 2007, a large number of residency positions were added across the country, but the increase was smaller in 2008 and increased again slightly in 2009. The ratio of available residencies to CMGs went up to 1.14 in 2007, it fell to 1.08 in 2008 and increased slightly to 1.12 in 2009. As more and more students graduate from Canadian medical schools, it will be important that there is a corresponding increase in available residency positions to facilitate match success and re-training. The CFMS continues to advocate for additional residency positions and will continue to monitor match rates to ensure that any changes in the system do not negatively affect CMG match rates.
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