The Impact of the ACGME/AOA Single Accreditation System Merger on PM&R Applications and Match Rates: An Analysis From 2012 to 2024

Objective To assess whether the 2020 ACGME/AOA Single Accreditation System (SAS) merger affected the proportion of osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) students applying and matching into physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Design Using publicly available AAMC and NRMP data from 2012-2024, this retrospective study analyzed (1) the PM&R application proportion out of the total pool of MD or DO students entering the match for any specialty and (2) the match share of MD and DO residents among all PM&R matches. Linear regression compared pre-merger (2012–2019 applications; 2014–2020 matches) and post-merger (2020–2023 applications; 2021–2024 matches) trends. Results The PM&R application proportion of DO students declined pre-merger (slope = –0.11) and rose post-merger (0.19). MD application proportions remained stable pre-merger and increased slightly post-merger. MD match share decreased pre-merger (–0.41) but increased post-merger (0.77), while DO match share rose faster pre-merger (1.44) than post-merger (0.57). None of these slope changes reached significance. Conclusion Following the SAS merger, a there was an increase in DO application proportions, and MD match share rebounded while DO gains slowed. These trends suggest the merger influenced application and match dynamics but coincided with other shifts in medical education.