The Role of Athletic Event Coverage in Orthopaedic Residency Training: A National Survey of Residency Program Directors.

Abstract

No Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guidelines exist regarding athletic event coverage by orthopaedic residents. This study assesses the availability and characteristics of event coverage opportunities in residency programs. An anonymous web-based survey assessing resident athletic event coverage opportunities was distributed to members (n = 158) of the American Orthopaedic Association's Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors. The survey response rate was 39% (n = 62). Most of the programs (76%) offer athletic event coverage opportunities for residents, most (54%) of which are optional. Of the programs with coverage opportunities, 34 (74%) have a teaching curriculum and 10 (22%) report that residents are always under the direct supervision of an attending orthopaedic surgeon. Thirty programs (64%) count the time spent at athletic events toward duty hours. A comprehensive and uniform resident experience for athletic event coverage does not exist. This finding may represent an area of deficiency in orthopaedic training requiring enhanced national standards.