Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Match After an Early-Exposure Research Program for Medical Students

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of students matching in orthopaedic surgery after a structured, early-exposure mentored research program and what factors were associated with those students compared with participants who matched in other specialties. METHODS: Program data were reviewed from 2007 to 2015. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate student and research factors associated with orthopaedic surgery match. RESULTS: Of 174 students, 117 (67%) matched into surgical residency programs, with 49% (n = 85) matching into orthopaedic surgery. The percentage of women matching into orthopaedic surgery (37%) was less than that of men (53%), which, however, increased over the study period. Students who matched in orthopaedic surgery had greater numbers of publications (3.55 [range 0 to 17] average publications) compared with students who matched in other specialties (1.98 (range 0 to 11) average publications). The average number of publications per student increased from 0.79 (±1.44, range 0 to 10, 40%) preprogram to 1.95 (±2.28, range 0 to 11, 71%) postprogram. Measured factors associated with orthopaedic surgery match were publications with program mentor, postprogram first authorship, and total publications. DISCUSSION: Approximately half of the participants matched into orthopaedic surgery. Analysis showed that research productivity increased after program participation and was statistically associated with increased likelihood of orthopaedic surgery match.