Evaluating Databases With Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program Information

Abstract

Introduction:Orthopaedic surgery residency applicants submit more applications than ever before. While this issue is multifactorial, increased information and transparency regarding residency programs are important. This study aimed to evaluate the completeness and variability of the information that is currently available regarding orthopaedic residency programs on two publicly available databases, the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA) and the newly created Orthopaedic Residency Information Network (ORIN).Methods:Orthopaedic surgery residency programs were identified and evaluated using FREIDA and ORIN on September 11, 2021. Information on the FRIEDA and ORIN databases were evaluated in the following categories: program overview, the residency application, and education information. Univariate statistical analysis was performed on the data.Results:Of the 194 programs that participated in the FREIDA database, over 48% failed to include basic program information including resident demographics and key application information including USMLE Step requirements. Of the 141 programs that participated in the ORIN database, most the programs did not report USMLE Step median and cutoff scores and clerkship grades. Depending on the database and type of information, factors including the program's National Institutes of Health funding, reputation, size, and type were associated with the availability of information.Conclusion:This study showed that while most orthopaedic surgery residency programs participate in FREIDA and ORIN, the information included was highly variable and incomplete for nearly all programs. Improving the completeness of information in these databases has the potential to allow students to make more informed application decisions.

Residency Match Rates in Orthopaedic Surgery Based on Sex, Under-Represented in Medicine Status, and Degree Type

“…Fourth, during the study period, the single accreditation system finalized its merger among residency programs with all traditionally ACGME and AOA programs being unified under a single system. Although this may confound the findings, ORIN has been reported to be the most reliable publicly accessible database for reporting the degree types of current residents 37 . Longer term studies are needed to validate the results of this study.…”

An Evaluation of Resources Available to Learn About Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs

“…As the number of applicants applying to orthopaedic surgery programs rises and the transition of USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 to pass/fail, program directors may now place more emphasis on other factors, including USMLE Step 2 and COMLEX Level 2 scores 26,27 . However, a recent study by Bernstein et al found that over 48% of programs in the FREIDA database failed to include USMLE Step requirements, and of the 141 programs participating in the ORIN database, most did not report the USMLE Step median or cutoff score 28 . Aside from examination scores, other factors such as performance during away rotations, personal knowledge of the applicant, clerkship grades, letters of recommendation from orthopaedic surgeons, Alpha Omega Alpha status, and research experience will gain significance 26,27 .…”

Understanding the Use of Program Resources During Virtual Recruitment by Psychiatry Residency Applicants

“…Our findings suggest this information may be particularly valuable early on in the application cycle when differentiating psychiatry residency programs. Although there is no published data on psychiatry programs, studies in other specialties indicate that other specialties have missing information in the database [ 16 , 17 ]. One study observed discrepancies with FREIDA data compared to program websites lead to uncertainty for applicants [ 16 ].…”