Success of Resident Research Grants in Orthopaedic Trauma from 2000 – 2022: A Retrospective Review

Abstract

To determine the publication rate for orthopaedic trauma resident research projects that receive grant funding as well as the long-term academic involvement of the grant recipients. All awardees of resident research grants from Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), AO North America (AONA), and Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) from 2000 – 2022 were identified. Three public databases were queried for subsequent related publications. Academic position, total number of publications, and h-index of grant recipients in 2024 were analyzed as indicators of sustained academic involvement. 397 orthopaedic trauma grants (OTA 117, AONA 225, OREF 55) were identified. 38% (151) of grants resulted in a publication with no significant difference between agencies (p = 0.94). The average amount awarded was $9,843, with no correlation to publication (p = 0.63). The mean time to publication was 3.57 ± 2.33 years. The time to publication for AONA was significantly longer than for OTA (4.14 vs 2.83 years, p= 0.004). There was no difference in total publications, h-index, or NIH grants between grant recipients from different agencies. More OTA grant recipients held an academic position compared to AONA grant recipients (63% vs 43%, p = 0.003). Grant awardees with initial publication success were 1.7 times as likely to have a future academic appointment (p = 0.014) and had 1.9 times the number of publications than those without (p = 0.001). Awardees with an h-index in the top quartile were significantly more likely to have published than those with an h-index in the bottom quartile (p = 0.007). In conclusion, fewer than half of orthopaedic trauma-related resident research grants resulted in a publication with comparable rates across agencies. Grant size did not predict publication success. Publication success was a positive predictor of continued academic involvement. Most publications occurred within five years, suggesting these grants may be most helpful in career development if awarded during the first 1-2 years of a 5-year orthopaedic residency program. Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.