Does Research Training lead to Academic Success in Orthopedic Surgery? An Analysis of U.S Academic Orthopedic Surgeons

Abstract

BACKGROUND Academic surgeons are invaluable for scientific advancement and training the next generation of orthopedic surgeons. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe a cohort of academic orthopedic surgeons currently in practice with common academic metrics. METHODS ACGME-accredited orthopedic surgery programs with a university affiliation were identified. The primary independent variable in this study was formal research training as defined by a research fellowship or attainment of a PhD. Outcomes included academic rank, h-index attained, number of publications, and funding by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). RESULTS 1641 orthopedic surgeons were identified across 73 programs. 116 surgeons (7.07%) received formal academic research training. The academic training group and non-academic training group had a similar completion rate of clinical fellowship programs (93.97% vs 93.77%, p=0.933), attainment of other advanced degrees (10.34% vs 8.46%, p=0.485), and years since completion of training (17.49-years vs 16.28-years, p=0.284). Surgeons completing academic research training had a significantly higher h-index (18.46 vs 10.88, p<0.001), higher publication number (67.98 vs 37.80, p<0.001), and more likely to be NIH funded (16.38% vs 3.15%, p<0.001). Surgeons completing academic training were more likely to be associate professors (34.48% vs 25.77%), professors (25.00% vs 22.82%), and endowed professors (10.34% vs 2.43%) (p<0.001). On regression analysis, formalized research training was independently associated with h-index and NIH funding (p<0.001 for both). CONCLUSION Formalized research training, either as a research fellowship or PhD, is associated with an increased h-index and likelihood of NIH funding, although this association was not found for academic rank after adjusted regression analysis.

A Longitudinal Evaluation of Collaboration in Plastic Surgery Clinical Research

“…2,3 This academic success is accompanied by increased research output, career advancement, and acquisition of funding from the National Institutes of Health. 4–8…”

“…2,3 This academic success is accompanied by increased research output, career advancement, and acquisition of funding from the National Institutes of Health. [4][5][6][7][8] In 2017, Carney et al 9 reported on the formation of a clinical research fellowship (CRF) program (est. 2008) in plastic surgery, consisting of one to two fully funded annual positions.…”

The Role of Dedicated Research Training in Promoting Academic Success in Plastic Surgery: Analysis of 949 Faculty Career Outcomes

“…[15][16][17] It has been established that there is a clear link between academic career success and completion of research training in other surgical specialties; however, to date, there remains limited evidence regarding the potential longterm benefits of research training in plastic surgery. [18][19][20] This study aimed to examine the long-term career benefits of completing dedicated research training, with an emphasis on research fellowships in promoting academic career success among academic plastic surgical faculty across the United States.…”