A resident survey study of orthopedic fellowship specialty decision making and views on arthroplasty as a career.
A dramatic shortage of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgeons has been projected because fewer residents enter arthroplasty fellowships, and the demand for THAs/TKAs is rising. The purposes of this study were to ascertain the future supply of THA/TKA surgeons, to identify the criteria residents use to choose their fellowship specialty, and to assess resident perceptions of an arthroplasty career. Four hundred ninety-eight post-graduate year 3 and above residents completed the online survey. Residents most highly prioritize intellectual factors and role models/mentors in determining their fellowship specialty. In the face of a looming patient access-to-care crisis, the data from this study support a policy of highlighting the intellectual challenges and satisfaction of THA/TKA as a career and encouraging mentorship early in a resident's training.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Sanaz
S
Hariri
Sally C
SC
York
Mary I
MI
O'Connor
Brian S
BS
Parsley
Joseph C
JC
McCarthy
D000328:Adult; D001178:Arthroplasty; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000639:trends*; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D009985:Orthopedics; D014481:United States