The Policy Evaluation Process of the CMS Award Distribution for DGME Residency Slots: A focus on Anesthesiology positions in the United States

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the CMS award distribution policies between 2023-2025 focusing on anesthesiology as a non-primary care-based field and emphasize its importance in continuing medical education. The five standards of public policy were used to measure the success of this program. Methods: To analyze the success of the CAA, a public policy five standard framework was provided to the results of Rounds 1-4 of the DGME awards: 1) Policy Goal attainment, 2) Efficiency, 3) Constituency Satisfaction, 4) Clientele Satisfaction, and 5) System Maintenance. Results: Analysis of Rounds 1-4 show the CMS was able to successfully distribute awards to anesthesia residency slots with high HPSA scores (14 to 20). While most awards received both DGME and IME funding, Round 4 revealed a shift towards partial funding models with some hospitals only receiving direct resident costs. Conclusion: The distribution of CMS funded residency slots for Rounds 1-4 for anesthesiology residency slots demonstrates successful alignment between legislative intent, medical education, and administrative education from a public policy lens. By utilizing the five standards of public policy evaluation, Section 126 has effectively modeled a strategy for policy goal attainment.