Factors Considered in Ranking Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Fellowship Applicants: A Survey of Program Directors

BACKGROUND: Variables considered by hip and knee arthroplasty fellowship program directors (PDs) to select fellowship candidates are not well known. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire containing 5 questions was developed and sent to all 92 adult reconstruction fellowship PDs via email. Three questions collected program information including the number of positions available, the number of candidates interviewed, and ranked annually. PDs were then given a list of 12 factors and asked to rank them in the order of importance. A weighted score for each factor was calculated using the following scale: 5 points each time a factor was ranked 1st, 4 points each time a factor was ranked 2nd, 3 points for each 3rd place rank, 2 points for each 4th place rank, and 1 point for each 5th place rank. PDs were also allowed to write in other factors they considered important when ranking fellowship candidates. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 34.8% (32/92). Seventy-five percent of responding programs indicated that they interview between 21 and 40 applicants per year for their fellowship position(s). The interview was ranked as the most important variable in selecting applicants by 53.1% of responding PDs, followed by letters of recommendation (ranked first by 25% of PDs) and personal connections to the applicant and/or letter writer(s) (ranked first by 9% of PDs). A positive correlation was identified between the program size and an applicant’s geographical ties to the city/town of the fellowship program (r(s) = 0.472; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: According to hip and knee arthroplasty fellowship PDs, the interview, letters of recommendation, and personal connections to the applicant and/or letter writers are the most important factors considered in selecting arthroplasty fellowship candidates.