Table 5 Trends in preferences amongst those accepting internships for computer-matched interns, by calendar year 2013–16

 Metropolitan locations filled by matching process % (n)

(n = 565)

(n = 583)

(n = 590)

(n = 593)

(n = 2331)

  Match 1st preference

52.4% (296)

55.2% (322)

50.7% (299)

51.6% (306)

52.5% (1223)

  Match: 2nd-3rd preference

31.3% (177)

23.8% (139)

26.4% (156)

25.0% (148)

26.6% (620)

  Match: 4th – 5th preference

11.9% (67)

13.7% (80)

14.9% (88)

16.5% (98)

14.3% (333)

  Match: outside top five preferences

4.4% (25)

7.2% (42)

8.0% (47)

6.9% (41)

6.7% (155)

 Regional/rural filled by matching % (n)

(n = 106)

(n = 102)

(n = 95)

(n = 137)

(n = 440)

  Match 1st preference

32.1% (34)

18.6% (19)

48.4% (46)

38.0% (52)

34.3% (151)

  Match: 2nd-3rd preference

13.2% (14)

17.7% (18)

11.6% (11)

11.0% (15)

13.2% (58)

  Match: 4th – 5th preference

18.9% (20)

11.8% (12)

9.5% (9)

6.6% (9)

11.4% (50)

  Match: outside top five preferences

35.9% (38)

52.0% (53)

30.5% (29)

44.5% (61)

41.1% (181)

Matched (and accepted) preferences

(n = 671)

(n = 685)

(n = 685)

(n = 730)

(n = 2771)

Mean # preferences: Total (SD)

8.0 (±3.2)

9.6 (±3.9)

9.3 (±2.6)

9.9 (±3.7)

9.2 (±3.5)

Mean # preferences: regional/ rural (SD)

1.4 (±2.2)

2.2 (±3.1)

1.7 (±1.8)

2.8 (±3.1)

2.0 (±2.7)

% with no regional/rural locations in preference list

44.4% (298)

30.2% (207)

25.6% (175)

18.8% (137)

29.5% (817)

% with any rural (MMM 2+) in top five

25.2% (169)

16.6% (114)

17.4% (119)

25.1% (183)

21.1% (585)

% with MMM 3–5 in top five

7.6% (51)

8.9% (61)

7.3% (50)

12.5% (91)

9.1% (253)

% matching RCIT position in top five

1.2% (8)

2.3% (16)

2.3% (16)

3.2% (23)

2.3% (63)