The Impact of COVID-19 on the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Match

Abstract

Introduction Matching into an orthopaedic surgery residency program presents a challenging accomplishment for applicants to achieve in any given year. Due to the profound changes to the application process caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic it was theorized that there would be a change in the number of graduates matching close to their home medical school region, state, and program. Methods Orthopaedic surgery residency program Web sites and social media accounts were accessed to elucidate current resident data, including graduates' medical school, and geographical location of their school. Chi-square analysis was performed to identify trends in current residents matching within their home program, state, and region associated with the 2021 orthopaedic match. These numbers were compared with previous year's successful applicants. Results In 2021, a significant 4.4% (p=0.02) increase in successful matches within applicants' home states occurred (33.4% vs. 37.8%) and home programs (p<0.001) when compared with previous years (21.2% vs. 27.4%). However, in 2021, there was no significant change in home region matching (p=0.56) with 60% of successful matches occurring in home regions. This was statistically consistent with what was observed in previous years (61.4%). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with restrictions in travel and interview options resulting in a significant increase in the number of orthopaedic applicants who matched into their home program, or at programs in their home state compared with previous years. Although no statistically significant regional change occurred during the 2021 match, it remains the leading predictor of where successful applicants will match. With many unknowns related to the upcoming match cycles it is important for applicants and programs to have a general idea of recent trends and outcomes to best focus their efforts, especially if diversity and minority inclusion are considered in highly competitive specialties like orthopaedic surgery.

Orthopaedic Surgery Training and Education During COVID-19

“…Another study found that 39.6% of applicants matched to a program within their state, compared with 33.1% prepandemic, which was a statistically significant difference 36 . A third study also found increased home program matches, at 27.4% compared with 21.2% prepandemic, and home state matches at 37.8% vs. 33.4% prepandemic 37 . Social media also became an important consideration for applicants because 34% of applicants said that social media influenced their rank lists 38 .…”

“…In addition, PDs will need to consider the biases inherent to a hybrid approach where those selecting virtual option, possibly due to socioeconomic factors, may be graded lower than in-person counterparts due to lack of personability. It is unsurprising given these limitations that orthopaedic surgery residency applicants were more likely to match in the same state or region during the pandemic [35][36][37] .…”

Improving Medical Student Mentorship in Orthopaedic Surgery

“…During this period, orthopaedic away rotations for medical students nationwide were restricted severely or altogether suspended in some locations, thereby limiting opportunities for student interaction with orthopaedic faculty at other residency programs. 7 In this context, our residents proposed establishing an orthopaedic education program to create a framework for medical student mentorship. Undertaken as a quality improvement (QI) project, the goals of this program were to familiarize medical students at our institution with orthopaedics as a potential career choice, to increase student-resident interaction, and to foster and cultivate orthopaedic mentorship.…”