Academic career outcomes of Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation resident grant recipients

Abstract

The Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) awards resident research grants to orthopedic surgery residents. Outcomes are lacking for OREF resident grant recipients including academic career choice and scholarly productivity. This was a retrospective cohort study of OREF resident grant recipients (2012–2020). The percentage of OREF resident grant recipients selecting an academic career was compared with the percentage of academic orthopedic surgeons in the United States via a χ2 test. Two hundred and seventy‐six OREF resident grants were issued to 272 orthopedic surgery residents at 73 programs. OREF resident grant recipients were predominantly male (79.0%) and Caucasian (70.2%). OREF resident grant recipients had greater women representation than the national cohort of orthopedic surgery residents (21.0% vs. 16.0%, p = 0.030) with similar proportions of underrepresented racial minorities (29.8% vs. 27.2%, p = 0.351). OREF resident grants consisted of clinical (69.6%) and basic/translational science (30.4%) research and were awarded mostly for sports medicine (25.4%), trauma (18.8%), and adult reconstruction (15.9%) topics. The average h‐index was 8.5 ± 9.2 resulting from 29.5 ± 51.2 manuscripts. The majority of OREF resident grant recipients selected an academic career, which was higher than the national benchmark of academic orthopedic surgeons (63.8% vs. 24.4%, p < 0.001). Two OREF resident grant recipients transitioned to National Institutes of Health research funding (0.7%). Multivariable logistical regression demonstrated two independent characteristics associated with pursuit of a future academic career: female sex (p = 0.042) and higher h‐index values (p = 0.002). Procurement of OREF resident grants is associated with pursuit of an academic career. Clinical significance: There is great interest in fostering the next generation of orthopedic surgeon scientists. Results from this study demonstrate the association between receipt of an OREF resident research grant and pursuit of a future career in academic orthopedic surgery.

Women Are Underrepresented Among Principal Investigators of Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Clinical Trials in the United States

“…Leaders in departments of orthopaedic surgery should intentionally seek opportunities to promote female faculty to positions of influence in leadership and research. Fourth, specific funding and training opportunities sponsored by organizations such as the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation 35 or the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons 36 can help to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion among arthroplasty PIs.…”

Editor’s Spotlight/Take 5: Fewer Than One in 20 Current Academic Orthopaedic Surgeons Have Obtained National Institutes of Health Funding

“…As you mentioned, OREF grants are also an option [7]. In fact, one recent study found that residents who are awarded resident-specific OREF grants go on to academic careers at higher proportions than their non-awarded counterparts [19]. I am grateful that I was a fortunate recipient of both OREF and MTF research grants before I was able to obtain NIH and Department of Defense (DOD) grants.…”