Original Article

Association of an Early Interest in Orthopedic Surgery with Match Rate into Orthopedic Surgery

Authors: Andrew Sephien, MD, Ambuj Kumar, MD, Kira Zwygart, MD, Antoneyous R. Mellek, MA, Jeffrey Orr, MD, Charles Nofsinger, MD, Danielle Gulick, PhD

Abstract

Objectives: Orthopedic surgery residency is considered one of the most competitive specialties in which to match. Studies examining the factors associated with a successful match have neglected whether participation in an orthopedic interest group (OIG) improves the chances of orthopedic residency match. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that participation in the OIG would improve matching into an orthopedic surgery residency.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study between May 2017 and 2019 at one state-funded medical school. All of the applicants in orthopedic surgery from 2004 to 2019 were identified and contacted for OIG membership status. The Office of Student Affairs provided academic performance data (US Medical Licensing Examination scores and third-year clinical clerkship grades), Alpha Omega Alpha and Gold Humanism Honor Society status, and demographics (race and sex) of applicants.

Results: Between 2004 and 2019, 67 students (56 OIG and 11 non-OIG) applied for orthopedic surgery residency match. The match rate for the OIG was 86% compared with 64% for the non-OIG group, resulting in an adjusted odds ratio (adjusted for academic performance) of 10.23 (95% confidence interval 1.14–92.3, P = 0.038).

Conclusions: OIG membership was associated with a significantly higher rate of orthopedic surgery residency matches. The higher rate of match associated with OIG membership may be the result of opportunities to diversify a residency application. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the potential association between OIG involvement and orthopedic surgery match.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Rios Quiroz A, Finkler C, Huwyler J. Factors governing the accuracy of subvisible particle counting methods. J Pharm Sci 2016;105:2042–2052.
 
2. Porter SE, Jobin CM, Lynch TS, et al. Survival guide for the orthopaedic surgery Match. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2017;25:403–410.
 
3. National Resident Matching Program. Results and data: 2017 main residency Match. https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Main-Match-Results-and-Data-2017.pdf. Published 2017. Accessed August 28, 2022.
 
4. Schrock JB, Kraeutler MJ, Dayton MR, et al. A comparison of matched and unmatched orthopaedic surgery residency applicants from 2006 to 2014: data from the National Resident Matching Program. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2017;99:e1.
 
5. Kreitz T, Verma S, Adan A, et al. Factors predictive of orthopaedic in-training examination performance and research productivity among orthopaedic residents. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2019;27:e286–e292.
 
6. Dirschl DR, Dahners LE, Adams GL, et al. Correlating selection criteria with subsequent performance as residents. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2002; 399:265–271.
 
7. Raman T, Alrabaa RG, Sood A, et al. Does residency selection criteria predict performance in orthopaedic surgery residency? Clin Orthop Relat Res 2016;474:908–914.
 
8. Friedman R, Kane M, Cornfield DB. Social support and career optimism: examining the effectiveness of network groups among black managers. Hum Relat 1998;51:1155–1177.
 
9. Friedman RA, Craig KM. Predicting joining and participating in minority employee network groups. Ind Relat 2004;43:793–816.
 
10. Hauer KE, Durning SJ, Kernan WN, et al. Factors associated with medical students' career choices regarding internal medicine. JAMA 2008;300: 1154–1164.
 
11. Agarwal N, Norrmen-Smith IO, Tomei KL, et al. Improving medical student recruitment into neurological surgery: a single institution's experience. World Neurosurg 2013;80:745–750.
 
12. Stroh DA, Ray-Mazumder N, Norman JA, et al. Influencing medical student education via a voluntary shadowing program for trauma and acute care surgery. JAMA Surg 2013;148:968–970.
 
13. Naples JG, Canfarotta M, Tabtabai R, et al. Otolaryngology interest groups: a potential solution to the residency match crisis. Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2019;4:24–29.
 
14. Stets JE, Burke PJ. Identity theory and social identity theory. Soc Psychol Q 2000:224–237.
 
15. Mickelson DT, Louie PK, Gundle KR, et al. Increasing medical student exposure to musculoskeletal medicine: the initial impact of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Interest Group. Adv Med Educ Pract 2017;8:551–55.
 
16. Borgatti SP, Ofem B. Social network theory and analysis. Soc Netw Theory Educ Change 2010:17–29.
 
17. National Resident Matching Program Data Release and Research Committee. Results of the 2016 NRMP Program Director Survey. https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/NRMP-2016-Program-Director-Survey.pdf. Published June 2016. Accessed August 28, 2022.