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Orthopaedic Surgery Residency: Perspective of Applicants and Program Directors on Medical Student Virtual Experiences
Justin J Hicks1, Youssef M Khalafallah, Joshua Wright-Chisem
1From the Washington University of St. Louis Orthopaedics Department, St. Louis, MO (Dr. Hicks); the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Dr. Khalafallah); the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY (Dr. Wright-Chisem); the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA (Dr. Mulcahey); the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (Dr. Levine); the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (Dr. LaPorte); the Department of Orthopedic Surgery Atrium Musculoskeletal Institute, Charlotte, NC (Dr. Patt); and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL (Dr. Kogan).
Virtual experiences supplemented orthopaedic residency applications during the pandemic, offering insights into program culture. However, they are not a substitute for in-person rotations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Residency Training
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional medical education, including orthopaedic subinternship rotations.
- Residency programs adapted by offering virtual experiences to applicants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the perceived value and utility of virtual experiences for orthopaedic residency programs and applicants during the 2020-2021 cycle.
- To assess the role of virtual experiences in future application cycles.
Main Methods:
- Surveys were distributed to 31 orthopaedic residency programs regarding virtual offerings.
- A second survey targeted 108 matched interns to assess their perceived benefits from virtual experiences.
Main Results:
- High program (90%) and intern (70%) response rates were achieved.
- Virtual information sessions and resident socials had the highest attendance.
- Both interns and leadership agreed virtual experiences improved understanding of program culture and education, but not as a replacement for in-person rotations.
Conclusions:
- Virtual experiences effectively bridged the gap created by canceled in-person rotations.
- While valuable alongside in-person experiences, virtual rotations cannot replace them.
- Virtual experiences are likely to remain a component of future residency application cycles.
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