An Analysis of Trends in National Residency Matching Program Match Data for Orthopedic Surgery.

An Analysis of Trends in National Residency Matching Program Match Data for Orthopedic Surgery. Orthopedics. 2020 Sep 21;:1-7 Authors: Rynecki N, Para A, Gantz O, Coban D, Gala Z, Gupta R, Adeeb N, Ippolito JA, Ruskin J, Beebe KS Abstract Due to electronic residency applications, US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores are frequently used by orthopedic surgery program directors to screen applicants. Prospective applicants therefore often use Step 1 scores as a proxy for specialty competitiveness. The goal of this investigation was two-fold: (1) to determine whether trends in Step 1 scores are indicative of trends in competitiveness of orthopedic surgery and (2) to report the characteristics that optimize a US medical student's match success. A retrospective review of published National Resident Matching Program data from 2009 to 2018 was performed for orthopedic surgery residency applicants. Additional data from the Charting Outcomes reports were used for specific analyses of applicant characteristics. From 2009 to 2018, the number of orthopedic surgery residency positions grew at an annual rate of 1.51% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.37% to 1.64%; P<.001), accommodating the 1.26% (95% CI, 0.63% to 1.90%; P=.006) annual increase in the number of applicants who ranked orthopedic surgery as their preferred specialty choice (only choice or first choice). There were no significant changes in the applicant-to-position ratio (9...
Source: Orthopedics - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tags: Orthopedics Source Type: research