From Intern to Fellow: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends Among Matched Gastroenterology Fellows

Research is an important factor in matching into gastroenterology (GI) fellowship, yet limited data exist on the publication output of incoming fellows. The purpose of this study was to investigate the peer-reviewed publications of matched GI fellows by start of internal medicine (IM) residency and GI fellowship to characterize research trends in the GI fellowship match.

A bibliometric analysis was performed on fellows entering GI programs in 2022-2024. Utilizing research databases, the quantity and quality of publications at the start of both IM residency and GI fellowship were extracted and analyzed temporally, by home-program match status, and degree type.

Across 192 programs, 1858 fellows had a median of 0 publications before IM residency, increasing to 3 publications by GI fellowship (mean: 1.32 vs. 5.08). At IM application, 50.9% had no publications, compared to 16.8% at GI application. By fellowship, matriculants averaged 36.1% first/last authored articles, 2.33 H-index, and 61.9% GI-related articles. Those remaining at their home program for fellowship had fewer publications than external matches. Non-US IMGs had more publications and higher H-indexes but published in lower-impact journals than allopathic graduates.

Our findings suggest that research productivity increases between IM and GI applications, while providing background on current trends in other quality metrics in the match. Those who matched their home institutions had fewer mean publications than those who did not, suggesting that institutional familiarity may play a role. These findings can help applicants, advisors, and program directors set expectations and goals regarding research during the GI fellowship match.