From residency to research excellence, mapping orthopaedic publication trends: A scoping review

Publications are critical for the future orthopaedic surgeon. The growing emphasis on academic output in orthopaedic residency programs has significantly impacted their career progression and fellowship opportunities. Mentorship, institutional support, and protected research time are crucial to enhancing publication rates among orthopaedic residents. This study aims to explore trends in publication among orthopaedic residents, examining the factors that influence their academic productivity and suggesting strategies to enhance output.

A scoping review was conducted on the existing literature regarding publication trends among orthopaedic residents, factors influencing publication, and interventions to enhance research output. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases using keywords such as "orthopaedic resident," "academic productivity," "research output," and "publication trends." A total of 208 articles were reviewed, with a focus on 34 papers deemed relevant to our review.

Our review revealed a correlation between increased publications during residency and the successful completion of fellowships at high-ranking programs. Institutional support, mentorship, research infrastructure, and allocated research time have been identified as factors to enhance research output. Specifically, having a structured research curriculum and allocated research time have been demonstrated to improve the publication rate. Moreover, the utilisation of technology, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, has emerged as a mechanism to enhance research productivity among orthopaedic residents.

We emphasised that publications are essential for the career development of orthopaedic residents. A robust research infrastructure, supportive mentorship programs, and the integration of research education into the residency curriculum are fundamental for achieving academic excellence. As orthopaedic residency programs evolve, addressing and prioritising research culture while leveraging technological innovations ensures the continued advancement of orthopaedic surgery.