Understanding characteristics of internal medicine residents matching into pulmonary critical care medicine fellowships

Internal medicine (IM) residents face significant challenges when pursing subspecialty fellowships. This study determined the factors that differentiate IM residents entering pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM) fellowships from those pursuing other careers. We completed a retrospective study of 12 classes of IM residents at a single institution completing residency between 2010 and 2021. Data included pre-residency characteristics, global residency performance, and PCCM-specific experiences. Logistic regression models examined associations between these variables and the primary outcome of matching into a PCCM fellowship within one year of completing IM residency. Among 522 residents, 10.3% matched into PCCM. Completing a pulmonary elective significantly increased the odds of matching into PCCM (OR 7.78, 99% CI 3.10-19.53, p