1707 - Trends in Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP) Medical Student Membership: Geographic, Gender, and Racial/Ethnic Distribution Analysis from 2024-2025

Friday, February 20, 2026

5:00 PM - 6:30 PM AST

Presenting Author(s)

JL

Junyao Li, BS

Medical Student
Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Co-Author(s)

BW

Bendrick Wang, BS

MS-4
Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine
Orange, California, United States

Presenting Author(s)

RS

Rekha P. Swamy, BA

Medical Student
University of Missouri at Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Co-Author(s)

AT

Adithi A. Tirumalai, BS

Medical Student
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
San Jose, California, United States
JM

James B. Mansfield, MD

Resident Physician, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
MetroHealth System / Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Corresponding Author(s)

SH

Sara Huss, MD

Director of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program
Albany Medical College
Albany, New York, United States

Submitter(s)

JL

Junyao Li, BS

Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Objectives:

Interest in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) among medical students continues to grow, reflected in rising AAP membership and national match trends. The Membership and Recruitment Subcommittee of the AAP Medical Student Council is evaluating demographic trends to guide targeted outreach.

Design:

Deidentified registration data from 2024 and 2025 were analyzed, including school, degree, gender, race, and ethnicity. Analyses were performed by state, with sub-analyses of race and gender. Membership was also compared with residency program availability. Statistical methods included chi-square, paired t-test, and two-proportion z-test.

Results:

AAP student membership grew from 592 in 2024 to 610 in 2025. States with no members decreased from 9 to 6, while those with >20 members increased from 9 to 10. Average members per state rose from 10.1 to 11.6 (t=2.01, p=0.03). Among states with residencies, average members per program increased from 5.1 to 6.1 (t=2.04, p=0.07); all residency states had ≥1 member in 2025.

Race analysis showed >70% of members were White (42.8% → 42.2%) /Asian (34.2% → 30.4%) in 2024 and 2025. Chi-square test confirmed a significant shift in racial distribution (χ²(8)=89, p< 0.001), driven by Hispanic/Latino growth (0.17% → 6.0%, z=–5.8, p< 0.001). Asian (34.2% → 30.4%, z= -2.1, p=0.036) and Black (9.4% → 7.5%, z= -3.53, p< 0.001) representation declined modestly.

Gender analysis showed narrowing disparities: men declined (56% → 48%) while women increased (37% → 40%, z=–0.16, p=0.87), though the change was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

AAP student membership grew modestly with improved geographic representation and a significant increase in Hispanic/Latino members. Gender disparities narrowed slightly but without statistical significance, while Asian and Black membership declined modestly. These findings highlight both progress and persistent gaps, underscoring the need for continued demographic monitoring and targeted outreach to foster equitable membership growth.