[Appointment to orthopedic surgical courses in 1983-1986]

The Danish orthopaedic surgical trainee arrangement with decentralized appointments was analysed after the first three years. A total of 591 applicants were involved and the majority of these had applied previously. Thus, 150 different qualified applicants sought 32 appointments. The postgraduate seniority of the applicants was 6.8 years. All of the applicants were found to be well qualified or optimally qualified for the positions concerned. No qualitative assessment was attempted of the scientific research made by the applicants but there was a definite tendency for more and more scientific studies to be necessary to obtain a trainee appointment. This tendency continued after the conclusion of the period under observation and the intensifying effect of this single criterion for appointment is emphasized.