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Does "Hoarding" Impact Interview Distribution Among Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Applicants? A Modeling Study Based
Catherine E Hutchison1, Jason I Reminick2, Ephy R Love2
1Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|August 28, 2023
Summary
Interview hoarding in orthopaedic surgery residency is common, but this study found it does not significantly alter interview distribution. Concerns about a "match crisis" due to hoarding appear unfounded, as applicant numbers exceed available positions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Specialties
- Residency Admissions
Background:
- "Interview hoarding" describes concentrated interview offers among top orthopaedic surgery residency applicants.
- Concerns exist that this could lead to a "match crisis" with unfilled positions.
- No prior studies have analyzed interview offer distribution in orthopaedics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the distribution of orthopaedic surgery residency interview invitations.
- To model the impact of an interview cap on this distribution.
- To assess the effect of reducing the applicant pool size on interview distribution.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of interview invitations via the Thalamus platform (2020-2022).
- Data included 1565 applicants and 53 programs in 2021-2022.
- Simulated interview caps and applicant pool reductions to assess distribution changes.
Main Results:
- Applicants received a mean of 1.7-1.8 invitations; distribution shape remained unchanged.
- 39% of applicants received no invitations; <1% received 10+.
- Simulated caps and applicant reductions showed minimal redistribution of interviews (2-3%).
Conclusions:
- Orthopaedic surgery residency interview invitations are unevenly distributed.
- Interview hoarding does not appear to cause a significant shift in distribution or a "match crisis".
- The applicant pool size consistently exceeds available residency positions.
