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An assessment of orthopedic surgery residency program websites

Hand using laptop and press screen to search

The competitiveness of the orthopedic surgery specialty combined with the unclear impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency recruitment has presented significant challenges to applicants and residency program directors during the pandemic. With limited in-person opportunities in the 2020-2021 application cycle, applicants have had to gauge chances and best fit by browsing program websites.

In an observational study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Medical Education, Sean Tabaie, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon at Children’s National Hospital, and co-authors assessed the accessibility and content of accredited orthopedic surgery residency program websites during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The authors looked at a total of 189 accredited orthopedic surgery residency programs that were identified using the online database of the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAs). They found that most residency program websites offered program details and an overview of educational and research opportunities, however, few addressed the virtual transition of interviews and sub-internships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full article in the Journal of Medical Internet Research Medical Education.