Orthopaedic Adult Reconstruction Fellowship Match Rates: How Do Degree and Sex Affect Match Success?

Abstract

Background: Discrepancies have previously been identified in terms of sex and medical degree throughout orthopaedic education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate trends in the degree type and sex of applicants to adult reconstruction fellowships.

Methods: The San Francisco (SF) match data from 2012 to 2023 was analyzed. Data regarding the number of applicants and match rates based on applicant degree and sex were evaluated. Pearson's correlation test was used to evaluate trends for the number of applicants and match rates.

Results: The number of applicants for both women (r = 0.64, P = 0.009) and men (r = 0.81, P = 0.0004) had a significant increase annually over the study period. Women applicants (r = 0.27, P = 0.19) did not have a significant change in match rate, while men candidates (r = 0.74, P = 0.002) experienced a significant increase over the study period. Although women applicants matched at a slightly higher rate than men applicants (87.6 versus 84.8%), this difference was not statistically significant (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.14, Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.71 to 1.83, P = 0.64). Osteopathic applicants (r = 0.4, P = 0.09) did not experience a significant change in the number of applicants, while allopathic candidates (r = 0.8, P = 0.0006) did experience a significant increase. Both osteopathic candidates (r = 0.76, P = 0.001) and allopathic candidates (r = 0.62, P = 0.01) experienced a significant increase in match rate. From 2012 to 2023, allopathic applicants were more likely to match into an Adult Reconstruction fellowship than osteopathic applicants (OR = 2.47, CI = 1.86 to 3.26, P = 0.0001).

Conclusions: Men and women applicants match at equal rates for the Adult Reconstruction Fellowship. Osteopathic graduates, regardless of sex, are consistently ranked lower by Adult Reconstruction fellowship programs in the fellowship match process and are less likely to match than allopathic graduates.