Trends in Leadership at Pediatric Orthopaedic Fellowships

Abstract

Background: Pediatric orthopaedic fellowship directors (FDs) have a valuable impact on the education of trainees and future leaders in the field. There is currently no research on the characteristics of pediatric orthopaedic FDs. Methods: Programs were identified using the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America fellowship directory. Operative, nonoperative, and specialty programs were included. Data was collected through Qualtrics survey, e-mail, telephone, and online searches. Variables included demographics (age, sex, race/ ethnicity), Hirsch index (h-index) as a measure of research productivity, graduate education, residency and fellowship training, years of hire at current institution and as FD, and leadership roles. Results: Fifty-five FDs were identified. The majority (49/55, 89%) were male and 77% (27/35) were Caucasian. The mean age at survey was 51.1 ± 8.2 years. The mean h-index was 17.2. Older age correlated with higher h-index (r = 0.48, P = 0.0002). The average duration from fellowship graduation to FD appointment was 9.6 ± 6.7 and 6.9 ± 6.1 years from institutional hire. Sixteen FDs (29%) had additional graduate level degrees. Almost all (52/55, 95%) FDs completed orthopaedic surgery residencies and all graduated fellowship training. Twenty-nine percent (16/55) completed more than 1 fellowship. Most FDs (51/55, 93%) completed a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic surgery. Ten FDs (18%) completed pediatric orthopaedic surgery fellowships that included spine-specific training. One-third of all current FDs were fellowship-trained at either Boston Children's Hospital (9/55, 16%) or Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (9/55, 16%). Conclusions: Pediatric orthopaedic FDs are typically early-career to mid-career when appointed, with a strong research background. Nearly a third completed additional graduate degrees or multiple fellowships. Although male dominated, there are more female FDs leading pediatric orthopaedic programs compared with adult reconstruction, trauma, and spine fellowships. As fellowships continue to grow and diversify, this research will provide a baseline to determine changes in FD leadership.

Characterizing Leadership Trends in Hand Surgery Fellowship Programs

“… 10 Fellowship directors in adult reconstructive, trauma, and pediatric orthopedics had similar mean H-indices of 16.6, 15.1, and 17.2, respectively. 7 , 8 , 9 However, fellowship directors for spine programs had the highest mean H-index of 23.8. 6 The majority of hand surgery fellowship directors had H-indices between 10 and 20, and only 7 (9.3%) of them had H-indices of greater than 30, paralleling the distribution in other orthopedic subspecialties in which most fellowship directors have H-indices of less than 30 ( Fig.…”

“…6e9 Fellowships in trauma and pediatric orthopedics have recently increased in number, leading to more available positions. 8,9 Regarding demographic characteristics, hand surgery fellowship directors are predominantly White and men (Table 1). Only 10 (11.6%) hand surgery fellowship directors are women, paralleling the findings of other orthopedic subspecialties at all levels of training.…”

“…Although home-grown hand surgeons may have a hiring advantage at their home institutions, these numbers are greater than those for any other studied orthopedic fellowships. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Interestingly, the time between fellowship completion and fellowship director appointment was the greatest for hand surgery relative to other orthopedic fields. The mean time from fellowship completion to fellowship director appointment was 12.4 years.…”

“…These studies found that factors such as research output and residency program reputation were significant predictors of fellowship leadership across orthopedic subspecialties. 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 Such studies not only characterize current leadership but also provide future leaders a possible roadmap. To our knowledge, there have been no similar published studies on fellowship directorship within hand surgery.…”

Demographics and Academic Productivity of Cardiothoracic Imaging Fellowship Program Directors in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Review

“…The following data points were gathered for each fellowship leader as set forth by previous leadership papers [ 6 , 14 , 15 ]: current institution, number of years in the current role, specific role, age, name of residency institution and year of graduation, name of fellowship institution and year of graduation, year hired by current institution, year appointed FD, and Scopus H-index. Mean and standard deviations (SDs) were calculated for all variables stated above.…”