Identification of Factors Associated with Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs That Preferentially Match Students Who Performed an Elective Rotation Before the Interview Process.

Abstract

The role of elective rotations in the orthopaedic residency selection process varies between programs. Our study aims to identify factors associated with residency programs that interview and match a greater proportion of applicants who have completed an elective rotation with their program. Data were collected through the American Orthopaedic Association's Orthopaedic Residency Information Network database. Bivariate correlations and multivariate regression models were used to identify independent predictors of programs with a greater proportion of interviewees or residents who completed an elective rotation at the respective program. One hundred seventy-eight of the 218 existing residency programs were included in this study. Programs that offered fewer interviews and more away rotation positions per year were associated with a greater odds of its interviewees (OR = 0.36, p = 0.01; OR = 4.55, p < 0.001, respectively) and residents (OR = 0.44, p = 0.04; OR = 4.23, p < 0.001, respectively) having completed an elective rotation with the program. In addition, programs with fewer attendings (OR = 0.39, p = 0.03) and in-person interviews (OR = 3.04, p = 0.04) matched a greater proportion of their rotators. However, programs that interviewed applicants during the elective rotation were less likely to match their rotators (OR = 0.35, p = 0.04). Certain program characteristics independently predict the likelihood of a program interviewing and matching their rotators. These findings may provide information for applicants and programs regarding the rotation process. III.