Is the Completion of a Research Gap Year or Summer Research Program Associated With Increased Odds of Matching Into Orthopaedic Residency? A Systematic Review
Systematic review shows mentorship and research productivity improve match odds for first-time and unmatched orthopaedic applicants, indicating gap years may enhance outcomes.
Key Points
First-time applicants completing a research gap year had higher match percentages, ranging from 73% to 91%.
A total of 10 studies, including cross-sectional surveys and comparative studies, evaluated match outcomes among applicants from 2000 to 2023.
Risk of bias assessment revealed moderate quality, with mean scores of 6.3 reflecting variability in past research findings.
Mentorship development is crucial, with increased research productivity aiding first-time applicants seeking orthopaedic residency.