The Impact of Formal Leadership Training Programs Offered by the American Orthopaedic Association

Leadership training programs are gaining popularity in orthopaedic surgery, yet only a few studies analyze how orthopaedic surgeons benefit from these programs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of participating in 4 leadership programs offered by the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). The secondary aims were to understand why orthopaedic surgeons want to participate in these programs, whether male and female surgeons benefit similarly, and what are the opportunities for improving future programs.

An anonymous survey was distributed by the AOA to orthopaedic surgeons who participated in the Resident Leadership Forum, Emerging Leaders Program, AOA-Kellogg Leadership Series (2012-2022), and/or AOA-University of Southern California (USC) Apex Leadership Certificate Program (2019-2022). Data was analyzed across all participants and by gender.

One hundred and twenty-five responses were received. Eighty-six respondents (68.8%) obtained new leadership position(s) following participation in AOA programs. Ninety-seven respondents (77.6%) were self-motivated to seek leadership training. Over half (76, 60.8%) recommend future programs to include lessons on healthcare administration and business management. Female compared with male surgeons benefited from building professional networks and finding new mentors (81.5% vs. 70.4% and 66.7% vs. 54.1%, respectively). Conversely, male surgeons benefited by learning team management, vision planning, and organizational management (78.6% vs. 74.1%, 86.7% vs. 77.8%, and 83.7% vs. 74.1%, respectively). Both genders benefitted similarly in building their emotional intelligence and mentorship skills (80.6% vs. 81.5% and 81.6% vs. 81.5%).

AOA leadership programs helped orthopaedic surgeons with career advancement and skill development. While female surgeons emphasized networking and mentorship, male surgeons benefited from learning team and organizational management and vision planning. Both genders benefited similarly in emotional intelligence and mentorship. Future leadership programs should prioritize teaching nonclinical leadership skills to support the growing responsibilities of surgeon-leaders outside of the operating room.

Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.