Educational Factors and Financial Implications of Medical Students Choosing and Matching Into Orthopedic Surgery.

Background: Mentorship and research have been shown to be important decision factors influencing medical students to pursue a particular specialty. The cost of applying to orthopedic surgery residency is at an all-time high. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors which increase the likelihood of medical students matching into orthopedic surgery, identify the timing and strength of impact these factors have on medical students' career choices, determine how many students have chosen orthopedic surgery prior to beginning medical school, and compare the financial impact of applying to orthopedics.

Methods: 608 medical students were surveyed 5 times during medical school (at the start of M1, M2, M3, M4 year and after the match process) to identify ongoing factors that influence their career choice and ultimately matching in orthopedic surgery. Unadjusted odds ratios and cost analysis were used to determine the factors influencing specialty choice. Level of evidence: III.

Results: Students who matched into orthopedic surgery were more likely to be mentored by an orthopedic surgeon at all 5 survey points (M1 OR=30.93, M2 OR=12.38, M3 OR=17.96, M4 OR=65.2, Match OR=215.45) and involved in orthopedic surgery research at the last 4 survey points (M2 OR=20.05, M3 OR=14.00, M4 OR=12.00, Match OR=1566.60) compared to students who did not match into orthopedic surgery. 10 out of 19 students (52.6%) who matched into orthopedic surgery listed the specialty as their preference in the M1 survey. Students who matched into orthopedic surgery spent $8,838.80 on applications and interviews, while students applied to and matched into other specialties spent an average of $6,173.4 (p-value=0.007).

Conclusion: Many students have a predetermined plan to enter orthopedic surgery prior to medical school. Mentorship and research are important factors increasing students' interest in orthopedic surgery and ultimately leading to a successful match process. Going through the orthopedic surgery match process is significantly more expensive than other specialties. Level of Evidence: IV.