Factors Considered in Ranking Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Fellowship Applicants: A Survey of Program Directors

Abstract

Background: Variables considered by hip and knee arthroplasty fellowship program directors (PDs) to select fellowship candidates are not well known. Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 5 questions was developed and sent to all 92 adult reconstruction fellowship PDs via email. Three questions collected program information including the number of positions available, the number of candidates interviewed, and ranked annually. PDs were then given a list of 12 factors and asked to rank them in the order of importance. A weighted score for each factor was calculated using the following scale: 5 points each time a factor was ranked 1st, 4 points each time a factor was ranked 2nd, 3 points for each 3rd place rank, 2 points for each 4th place rank, and 1 point for each 5th place rank. PDs were also allowed to write in other factors they considered important when ranking fellowship candidates. Results: The overall response rate was 34.8% (32/92). Seventy-five percent of responding programs indicated that they interview between 21 and 40 applicants per year for their fellowship position(s). The interview was ranked as the most important variable in selecting applicants by 53.1% of responding PDs, followed by letters of recommendation (ranked first by 25% of PDs) and personal connections to the applicant and/or letter writer(s) (ranked first by 9% of PDs). A positive correlation was identified between the program size and an applicant's geographical ties to the city/town of the fellowship program (r s ¼ 0.472; P ¼ .006). Conclusions: According to hip and knee arthroplasty fellowship PDs, the interview, letters of recommendation, and personal connections to the applicant and/or letter writers are the most important factors considered in selecting arthroplasty fellowship candidates.

Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Interviewee Perceptions of Virtual vs In-Person Interview Formats

“…The motivation of the present study stems from the importance of the interview in selecting residency and fellowship applicants; interview performance has been cited as the most important factor in selecting applicants for orthopedic adult reconstruction fellowships [ 8 ]. Given the significant shift in interview format for the current application cycle, studying applicants’ views on virtual interviews can yield valuable insights to help programs better structure the 2020-2021 interview process (and beyond).…”

Factors Considered in Ranking Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Fellowship Applicants

“…Program directors were then asked to evaluate 12 specific factors that might be considered in ranking fellowship applicants based on prior surveys of orthopaedic fellowship program directors. [3][4][5][6] These 12 criteria were displayed in a random order for each survey recipient. Randomization was automated by the online survey tool used to distribute the survey (Qualtrics, Provo, UT).…”

“…This scoring system is consistent with surveys of program directors from orthopaedic trauma, spine, sports medicine, and hip and knee arthroplasty subspecialties. [3][4][5][6]…”

“…Many previous studies have evaluated factors considered important by fellowship program directors during the application and interview process, including studies evaluating the importance of various selection criteria in other orthopaedic fellowships including trauma, spine, sports medicine, and hip and knee arthroplasty. [3][4][5][6] While these studies identified several similar criteria, such as the interview and letters of recommendation, as important factors used by program directors to rank applicants, the emphasis placed on some factors such as research experience, personal connections, and the applicant's residency program varied between orthopaedic subspecialties. [3][4][5][6] Furthermore, these studies were conducted prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has fundamentally altered the recruitment process and may therefore influence which factors are considered most important when ranking fellowship applicants.…”

“…[3][4][5][6] While these studies identified several similar criteria, such as the interview and letters of recommendation, as important factors used by program directors to rank applicants, the emphasis placed on some factors such as research experience, personal connections, and the applicant's residency program varied between orthopaedic subspecialties. [3][4][5][6] Furthermore, these studies were conducted prior to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has fundamentally altered the recruitment process and may therefore influence which factors are considered most important when ranking fellowship applicants.…”