The Outcomes of “Submitted” Publications From Applicants to Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programs: A Retrospective Review of 1303 Residency Applications

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate research listed as “Submitted” on orthopaedic surgery residency applications for eventual publication rates and quality. Significance: As the orthopaedic surgery residency selection process becomes increasingly competitive, the number of research publications listed on applications continually increases. However, the utility of using publications listed as “Submitted” in the applicant evaluation process remains unknown. Methods: Demographic and publication data were retrospectively collected from 1303 applications to an orthopaedic surgery residency program. The PubMed database was used to verify “Submitted” publications for (1) publication fruition or (2) publication mismatch, defined as discordance between the listed journal of submission and the eventual journal of publication. Results: A total of 594 applications (45.6%) listed ≥1 publication as “Submitted.” Out of 1636 “Submitted” publications, 565 were unverifiable (32.5%). Of the 1071 verified publications, 362 (33.8%) experienced publication mismatch. Within this subgroup, a significant difference existed between the mean impact factors of the listed journal of submission and the eventual journal of publication (1.5 ± 2.7 versus 3.0 ± 2.5, P < 0.01). Demographic data were not predictive of having an unverified publication. Conclusion: Publications listed as “Submitted” in orthopaedic surgery residency applications frequently remain unpublished or are published in less impactful journals than originally intended.

What Are the Trends in Research Publication Misrepresentation Among Orthopaedic Residency and Fellowship Applicants From 1996 to 2019? A Systematic Review

“…Meeks et al [26] reported misrepresentation among 11% (five of 47) of international medical graduates compared with 1% (seven of 526) of United States medical graduates (p = 0.03). Similarly, Freshman et al [13] found a greater number of unverified publications among international graduates (2.3 ± 3.9) than among United States medical graduates (0.9 ± 1.2 [95% CI -0.405 to -2.397]; p < 0.01). However, other studies found no association between international medical graduate applicants and research misrepresentation [9, 12].…”

Predictors of Academic Productivity Among Spine Surgeons

“…Prior literature has extensively reported on the use of publications as a way to stratify applicants to orthopaedic surgery residency programs. 4,7,11 Top programs rationalize this by indicating that their goal is to train future leaders in the field. Given that promotions in academia are markedly associated with scholarly productivity, it follows that they would prioritize applicants who will be academically productive.…”

Medical Students’ Attitudes and Influential Factors Towards Conducting Medical Research

“…30 This issue extends to the United States as orthopedic residency program applicants list research projects in their resumes as 'submitted'; but, in reality, remain frequently unpublished or published in low-impact journals. 31 Furthermore, this issue extends beyond residency applications, as the selection for fellowship programs requires more scholarly work. 32 Local and international residency programs and academic institutions should consider enhancing research outcomes and improving evidence-based medicine.…”