Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directors
Background: Orthopedic fellowship positions continue to be increasingly competitive, with most orthopedic residency graduates pursuing fellowship after completion of residency. Shoulder and elbow fellowship training represents an increasingly competitive and relatively smaller cohort of applicants t...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-05-01
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| Series: | JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666639120300134 |
| _version_ | 1819003281757700096 |
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| author | Jonathan G. Erickson, MD Kristina P. Johnson, MPA, ATC Brian F. Grogan, MD Lisa K. Cannada, MD Paul S. Whiting, MD |
| author_facet | Jonathan G. Erickson, MD Kristina P. Johnson, MPA, ATC Brian F. Grogan, MD Lisa K. Cannada, MD Paul S. Whiting, MD |
| author_sort | Jonathan G. Erickson, MD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Orthopedic fellowship positions continue to be increasingly competitive, with most orthopedic residency graduates pursuing fellowship after completion of residency. Shoulder and elbow fellowship training represents an increasingly competitive and relatively smaller cohort of applicants than other subspecialties; there are only 29 programs with a total of 40 offered positions. The purpose of this survey is to identify and rank factors considered most important by shoulder and elbow fellowship directors when identifying potential fellowship candidates. Methods: A web-based survey was emailed to all 29 orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship directors recognized by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Demographic information was collected regarding program size, total number of applicants interviewed, and total number of applicants subsequently ranked. The survey also included a list of twelve applicant characteristics which each program director was asked to rank in a sequential order (most important to least). The median score of each factor was calculated, and a weighted score was applied to the top five (of twelve) categories selected by each program. Five points were given to the top-ranked factor. Four points were given to factors ranked 2nd, three points to factors ranked 3rd, two points to factors ranked 4th, and one point to factors ranked 5th. The weighted scores were then used to determine the most highly desired applicant characteristics. Results: Twenty-two of 29 (76%) orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship programs responded to the survey. Fourteen of 22 (64%) programs interview 20 or fewer applicants each year. No programs ranked more than 25 applicants. Twelve of 22 (55%) of program directors rated the interview as the most important factor, whereas 6 of 22 (27%) selected letters of recommendation. Based on the weighted score calculation, interviews, letters of recommendation, and personal connections to the applicant/letter writers comprised the top three categories, respectively, and captured 193 of 330 (58%) of the total available points in the weighted score. Strength of shoulder/elbow experience in residency, ties to the geographical area, and comments made regarding technical competence scored among the lowest factors. Conclusion: Orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship directors consistently ranked interviews, letters of recommendation, and personal connection to applicant/letter writer higher than other factors when ranking applicants. This information provides both program directors as well as applicants with important information to consider when navigating the shoulder and elbow fellowship application process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-20T23:18:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-202f621452284a89b72a5ab641423ffc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2666-6391 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-20T23:18:31Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques |
| spelling | doaj.art-202f621452284a89b72a5ab641423ffc2022-12-21T19:23:35ZengElsevierJSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques2666-63912021-05-0112151154Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directorsJonathan G. Erickson, MD0Kristina P. Johnson, MPA, ATC1Brian F. Grogan, MD2Lisa K. Cannada, MD3Paul S. Whiting, MD4Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI, USADepartment of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI, USADepartment of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI, USAHughston Clinic & Novant Health, Jacksonville, FL, USADepartment of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA; Corresponding author: Paul S. Whiting, MD, UW Medical Foundation Centennial Building, 1685 Highland Avenue, 6th Floor, Madison, WI 53705-2281, USA.Background: Orthopedic fellowship positions continue to be increasingly competitive, with most orthopedic residency graduates pursuing fellowship after completion of residency. Shoulder and elbow fellowship training represents an increasingly competitive and relatively smaller cohort of applicants than other subspecialties; there are only 29 programs with a total of 40 offered positions. The purpose of this survey is to identify and rank factors considered most important by shoulder and elbow fellowship directors when identifying potential fellowship candidates. Methods: A web-based survey was emailed to all 29 orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship directors recognized by American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons. Demographic information was collected regarding program size, total number of applicants interviewed, and total number of applicants subsequently ranked. The survey also included a list of twelve applicant characteristics which each program director was asked to rank in a sequential order (most important to least). The median score of each factor was calculated, and a weighted score was applied to the top five (of twelve) categories selected by each program. Five points were given to the top-ranked factor. Four points were given to factors ranked 2nd, three points to factors ranked 3rd, two points to factors ranked 4th, and one point to factors ranked 5th. The weighted scores were then used to determine the most highly desired applicant characteristics. Results: Twenty-two of 29 (76%) orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship programs responded to the survey. Fourteen of 22 (64%) programs interview 20 or fewer applicants each year. No programs ranked more than 25 applicants. Twelve of 22 (55%) of program directors rated the interview as the most important factor, whereas 6 of 22 (27%) selected letters of recommendation. Based on the weighted score calculation, interviews, letters of recommendation, and personal connections to the applicant/letter writers comprised the top three categories, respectively, and captured 193 of 330 (58%) of the total available points in the weighted score. Strength of shoulder/elbow experience in residency, ties to the geographical area, and comments made regarding technical competence scored among the lowest factors. Conclusion: Orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship directors consistently ranked interviews, letters of recommendation, and personal connection to applicant/letter writer higher than other factors when ranking applicants. This information provides both program directors as well as applicants with important information to consider when navigating the shoulder and elbow fellowship application process.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666639120300134OrthopedicsProgram directorsFellowshipShoulder and elbowInterview |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan G. Erickson, MD Kristina P. Johnson, MPA, ATC Brian F. Grogan, MD Lisa K. Cannada, MD Paul S. Whiting, MD Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directors JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques Orthopedics Program directors Fellowship Shoulder and elbow Interview |
| title | Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directors |
| title_full | Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directors |
| title_fullStr | Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directors |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directors |
| title_short | Factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants: a survey of program directors |
| title_sort | factors considered in ranking orthopedic shoulder and elbow fellowship applicants a survey of program directors |
| topic | Orthopedics Program directors Fellowship Shoulder and elbow Interview |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666639120300134 |
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