Factors affecting residency selection for underrepresented minorities pursuing orthopaedic surgery

The United States is increasingly diverse and there are many benefits to an equally diverse physician workforce. Despite this, the percentage of under-represented minorities in orthopaedic surgery has remained stagnant. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics underrepresented minorities pursuing orthopaedic surgery value most when evaluating residency programs.

The contact information of current underrepresented minority orthopaedic surgery residents were obtained through professional society databases, residency program coordinators and residency program websites. Individuals were sent a survey through which they evaluated the importance of a variety of program characteristics.

The most influential program characteristics were resident happiness and camaraderie, program reputation, geographic location, and relationships between residents and attendings. The least influential characteristics were sub-internship scholarship opportunities for minorities, program affiliation with diversity organizations, word of mouth from others, number of fellows, and centralized training sites.

There is a need to diversify the field of orthopaedic surgery, which begins by selecting more diverse trainees. This study demonstrates that underrepresented applicants are most influenced by many of the same characteristics as their well-represented peers. However, diversity-related factors still play an important role in the decision-making process. Many residents highlighted the impact microaggressions and mistreatment played in their residency experience, emphasizing the need for residency programs to focus not only on recruitment, but also on the successes and retention of their residents. Only once this is done will the field of orthopaedic surgery find sustained improvement in its diversification efforts.