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How should unmatched orthopaedic surgery applicants proceed?
Nirav H Amin1, Andre M Jakoi, Douglas L Cerynik
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|July 25, 2012
Summary
Unmatched orthopaedic surgery applicants may improve their chances by completing a surgical internship. Academic programs prioritize specific benchmarks and may favor research years, potentially limiting options.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Medical Education
- Residency Admissions
Background:
- Orthopaedic surgery residency is highly competitive.
- Understanding factors for successful reapplication is crucial for advisors.
- Advising unmatched candidates requires insight into program preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess orthopaedic residency program directors' views on interviewing unmatched applicants.
- Determine preference between surgical internship and research year for reapplicants.
- Evaluate the importance of USMLE scores, recommendations, and AOA membership.
- Identify differences in reapplicant evaluation between academic and nonacademic programs.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous 19-question survey distributed to 151 ACGME-accredited orthopaedic surgery residency programs.
- Survey conducted in five waves over one month to maximize response rate.
- Investigator blinding ensured objectivity in data collection.
Main Results:
- 75% of responding programs rarely accept unmatched applicants.
- 75% of programs agreed a surgical internship is beneficial for reapplicants.
- Academic programs more heavily weighted USMLE scores, recommendations, and AOA membership.
- Academic programs were more likely to recommend a research year.
Conclusions:
- A surgical internship may enhance an unmatched applicant's prospects.
- Students targeting academic programs should meet high academic standards.
- A research year may be advantageous for academic programs but could limit options.
