Trends in Graduate Medical Education and Specialty Certification

Abstract

To obtain a quantitative measure of the extent to which graduate education and qualification for specialty certification have become an integral part of the total educational experience, samples of 1960 and 1964 graduates of United States medical schools were tracked through residency training and the specialty certification process, and into present professional activities. Of 1337 physicians studied, about 90 per cent had residency training; over 70 per cent completed residency and entered the certification process. Of the 1960 graduates whose career choices were then recognized by established specialty boards, 99 per cent entered residency, 86 per cent completed residency and entered the certification process, and 73 per cent had achieved specialty certification.