Factors Influencing Orthopedic Surgery Residents' Choice of Subspecialty Fellowship

Abstract

In the setting of increasing student debt, a rapidly changing health care system, and growing transparency in the age of outcome reporting, residents have many factors to consider when determining which fellowship to pursue. An institutional review board-approved link to an online survey was emailed to orthopedic surgery trainees across the United States. Demographics were collected, and 14 fellowship influences were assessed using a Likert scale. A total of 360 responses were received. Of the respondents, 85.5% (n=308) were male and 14.5% (n=52) were female. Responses were received from every region of the United States and from every postgraduate year. Respondents represented the gamut of relationship status and indebtedness. Respondents were interested in all of the current major subspecialties. Pursuit of an intellectually stimulating subspecialty had the highest average Likert score (3.38), followed by variety of cases (3.26). The lowest scores were for residency program with a strong tradition of placing into a particular subspecialty (2.08) and potential to conduct research in that subspecialty (2.09). Marital status, number of children, and level of debt did not significantly affect the importance of factors in selecting a fellowship. Choice of subspecialty did influence the level of importance of various factors. Intellectual stimulation and a strong mentor were the most influential factors in the decision to pursue a given fellowship. Because fellowship is now the norm, it is important to understand the motives behind young orthopedic surgeons' career aspirations. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(5):e820-e824.].

Characteristics of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Directors

“…In the past decade, studies 1,7,9,10,14 analyzing trends in the professional landscape of orthopaedic surgery have investigated a variety of interesting areas including the selection process for applicants to orthopaedic surgical residency and fellowship programs and the evaluation guidelines that program directors use to identify strong candidates. The skills and specific training required to become physician leaders in surgical fields, 3,8,11 predictors of physician leaders, 2 and the role of characteristic variations in position selection and specialty representation have also been explored in the context of orthopaedics.…”

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship Directors Are Predominantly White Men With a High Degree of Research Productivity

“…Such studies have examined topics such as the favorable qualities and accomplishments among medical students desiring a career in orthopaedics, factors influencing a student’s decision to pursue orthopaedics, and selection criteria for orthopaedic surgery applicants. 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 However, few studies have examined the characteristics of leaders within the field of orthopaedic surgery. One such study sought to outline the gender disparity that exists within orthopaedic leadership and the many impacts it has on the field.…”

Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship Directors Are Typically White Men in Their Early 50s With Strong Achievements in Research

“…Numerous previous analyses have attempted to describe and characterize orthopaedic applicants and trainees in an attempt to understand a wide range of factors that lead to success in the highly competitive field. 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 However, a paucity of literature exists examining the achievements and qualities of orthopaedic leadership. Among the limited available research, some studies have highlighted the sex disparity within orthopaedics and its leadership.…”