Success of Resident Research Grants in Orthopaedic Trauma From 2000 to 2022: A Retrospective Review

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the publication rate for orthopaedic trauma resident research projects that receive grant funding as well as the long-term academic involvement of the grant recipients. Methods: All awardees of resident research grants from Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA), AO North America (AONA), and Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) from 2000 – 2022 were identified. Three public databases were queried for subsequent related publications. Academic position, total number of publications, and h-index of grant recipients in 2024 were analyzed as indicators of sustained academic involvement. Results: 397 orthopaedic trauma grants (OTA 117, AONA 225, OREF 55) were identified. 38% (151) of grants resulted in a publication with no significant difference between agencies (p = 0.94). The average amount awarded was $9,843, with no correlation to publication (p = 0.63). The mean time to publication was 3.57 ± 2.33 years. The time to publication for AONA was significantly longer than for OTA (4.14 vs 2.83 years, p= 0.004). There was no difference in total publications, h-index, or NIH grants between grant recipients from different agencies. More OTA grant recipients held an academic position compared to AONA grant recipients (63% vs 43%, p = 0.003). Grant awardees with initial publication success were 1.7 times as likely to have a future academic appointment (p = 0.014) and had 1.9 times the number of publications than those without (p = 0.001). Awardees with an h-index in the top quartile were significantly more likely to have published than those with an h-index in the bottom quartile (p = 0.007). Conclusions: In conclusion, fewer than half of orthopaedic trauma-related resident research grants resulted in a publication with comparable rates across agencies. Grant size did not predict publication success. Publication success was a positive predictor of continued academic involvement. Most publications occurred within five years, suggesting these grants may be most helpful in career development if awarded during the first 1-2 years of a 5-year orthopaedic residency program. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.