Recent trends in hand surgery fellowship applicants and programs

• DOI: 10.1016/j.sipas.2023.100228
• Publication Date: 2023-12-09T22:10:03Z
• Authors: Christopher P. Be...; Emily M. Graham; Lauren M. Bracey; Harrison R. Ferlauto; Caleigh Weliver; Shaun D. Mendenhall; Eitan Melamed
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Medical Education; RD1-811; Match; Hand surgery; Programs; Surgery; Hand fellowship; Applicants; Research Article

Hand surgery is a competitive fellowship that draws applicants from orthopedic, plastic, and general surgery. In 2010, recommendations the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board Specialty Societies Match Oversight Committee Society Plastic (ASPS) Surgery Workforce Task Force led to significant reforms their respective workforces training. This study characterizes trends in hand programs since these (2010-2023). We queried applicant program data for (ASSH), National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), Accreditation Council Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). From 2010 2023, number ACGME-accredited increased across specialties (orthopedic surgery, 58 74 (27.6 % increase, R = 0.97, p < 0.001); plastic 14 19 (35.7 0.91, 1 2 (50 0.71, 0.004). The available positions commensurately by 38.8 over same time period. did not significantly change between (155 applicants) 2023 (198 (R 0.32, 0.27). ratio applicants-to-positions decreased (1.12 per position) (1.04 -0.74, 0.003). Yet, ranked nearly twice as many (14.9 applicant) compared (7.5 0.98, 0.001). light Association endorsing signal preferencing 2022-2023 residency Match, strategies optimize rank lists application process should be further explored.