The Demographic Make-up of Orthopaedic Surgery Residents in the United States Post ACGME Merger

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the demographic characteristics of orthopaedic surgery residents in 2021 in regard to sex, degree earned, and regional or medical school affiliation. The Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database was used to identify all orthopaedic surgery residency programs in the United States. Resident sex, degree, residency year, and geographic region attended for residency and medical school were collected from each program website. 199 orthopaedic surgery residencies were identified: 153 traditional Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (tACGME) programs, 38 traditional American Osteopathic Association (tAOA) programs, and 8 military programs, which were excluded. 4,095 orthopaedic surgery residents were identified. Females accounted for 16.6% (N=679) of residents, 17.6% (N=620) within tACGME programs and 10.4% (N=59) in tAOA programs (p<0.001). The 573 orthopaedic residents with DO degrees accounted for 14% of the residents identified, 97.6% (N=533) of residents in tAOA programs, and 1.1% (N=40) of residents in tACGME programs. Regional data showed that 34.4% (N=1208) of MDs trained in the Northeast, while 41.9% (N=240) of DOs trained in the Midwest. There has been a slight increase in the representation of females and DOs in orthopaedic surgery residency programs since the mid-2000s; however, data following the ACGME and AOA merger still shows significant predilection for male and MD degree applicants. This study suggests that the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States train more MDs and DOs, respectively. This finding offers potential data for interested applicants and demonstrates opportunity for more heterogeneity in applicant selection.