Record High Internal Medicine Residency Match Reflects Vital Role of the Internal Medicine Physician Workforce

PHILADELPHIA, March 20, 2026 - Internal medicine residency programs expanded to offer a record high 11,194 categorical positions in the 2026 Main Residency Match, reflecting ongoing demand for internal medicine physicians to meet healthcare workforce needs. Internal medicine remains the largest training specialty, with the number of internal medicine programs participating in the Match expanding to a record high of 788. Internal medicine programs offered more than one-quarter (27%) of all PGY-1 positions in the Match, resulting in a record high 10,657 categorical positions (95.2%) filled. The primary care internal medicine Match also expanded to 438 offered positions, stabilizing a prior 5-year-long decline.

Of the categorial internal medicine positions, a record high 5,915 (52.8%) were matched by U.S. medical school seniors, with the greatest gains seen in matched seniors from MD-granting schools. A record 4,001 US MD seniors matched to categorical internal medicine physicians, along with a record 1,914 US DO seniors. In contrast, declines were seen in the number of positions matched with international graduates. 1,060 (9.5%) were filled by U.S. citizen students/graduates of international medical school (U.S. IMGs), and 3448 (30.8%) were filled by non-U.S. citizen students/graduates of international medical school (non-US IMGs).

"The record number of offered internal medicine training positions reflects ongoing demand for expert internal medicine physicians to serve patient care needs. Both the record high number of matched positions, and the record high number of matched U.S. MD and DO seniors also reflect national recognition for the importance of the internal medicine workforce," said Davoren Chick, MD, FACP, ACP Chief Learning Officer. "Internal medicine physicians are experts in clinical complexity who lead and serve throughout the healthcare system. We specialize in the critical thinking necessary for diagnostic evaluations, acute and chronic problem management, preventive care, and new scientific discoveries. Internal medicine physicians also serve as leaders in hospitals and ambulatory settings across the U.S.

"Because international medical graduates serve in essential roles throughout the U.S. healthcare system, with more than 30% of internal medicine categorical positions matched by non-U.S. IMGs, we will need to carefully explore factors that may have contributed to the decline in number of matched IMGs this year. IMGs provide essential frontline care within the U.S. healthcare system and are mission critical to the provision of healthcare in the U.S., not only during training through their service to teaching hospitals but also following training through their disproportionately large role in meeting the needs of medically underserved populations," she added.

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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 172 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 163,000 internal medicine physicians, related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn, and subscribe to our RSS feed.

Contact: Lori Bookbinder, 215-351-2431, [email protected]