What does this research mean for the field?

The proportion of orthopaedic residency applicants completing a research gap year doubled between 2014 and 2024, and participation is associated with significantly greater academic productivity and a high match rate. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the 10-year incidence of orthopaedic residency applicants completing a dedicated research gap year, compare applicant characteristics, and evaluate factors linked to match success.

September 14, 2026Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Trends in Research Gap Years Among Orthopaedic Residency Applicants

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Authors

ECEric J. Cotter JDJack H. Drake CNCollin N. Nguyen

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Overview

Retrospective review reveals a doubling of research gap years among orthopaedic residency applicants, indicating dedicated research enhances academic productivity and match outcomes.

Key Points

To assess the 10-year incidence of orthopaedic residency applicants completing a dedicated research gap year, compare applicant characteristics, and evaluate factors linked to match success.
Retrospective review of ERAS applications submitted to a single orthopaedic residency program across 10 application cycles (2014-2015 to 2023-2024).
Defined a research gap year (RGY) as a minimum of 9 months of dedicated research, excluding dual-degree programs (MPH, MBA, PhD).
Extracted applicant metrics including RGY timing, USMLE scores, Alpha Omega Alpha status, research items (publications, presentations, abstracts), and match results.
The percentage of applicants pursuing an RGY increased from 7.4% in 2014-2015 to 14.4% in 2023-2024, showing a significant positive correlation over time (r = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.80 to 0.99; P < 0.0001).
RGY applicants averaged 31.6 total CV research entries compared with 9.9 for non-RGY applicants (P < 0.0001), with 81.1% completing the gap year after their third year of medical school.
Among applicants completing an RGY, 71.0% matched into orthopaedic surgery, and 12.7% matched specifically at the institution where they completed their research year.

Cite This Study

Cotter et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7b2c70926e14a848b15b9 https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaos-d-25-00942

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September 14, 2026Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Trends in Research Gap Years Among Orthopaedic Residency Applicants

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

ECEric J. Cotter JDJack H. Drake CNCollin N. Nguyen

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Retrospective review reveals a doubling of research gap years among orthopaedic residency applicants, indicating dedicated research enhances academic productivity and match outcomes.

Key Points

To assess the 10-year incidence of orthopaedic residency applicants completing a dedicated research gap year, compare applicant characteristics, and evaluate factors linked to match success.
Retrospective review of ERAS applications submitted to a single orthopaedic residency program across 10 application cycles (2014-2015 to 2023-2024).
Defined a research gap year (RGY) as a minimum of 9 months of dedicated research, excluding dual-degree programs (MPH, MBA, PhD).
Extracted applicant metrics including RGY timing, USMLE scores, Alpha Omega Alpha status, research items (publications, presentations, abstracts), and match results.
The percentage of applicants pursuing an RGY increased from 7.4% in 2014-2015 to 14.4% in 2023-2024, showing a significant positive correlation over time (r = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.80 to 0.99; P < 0.0001).
RGY applicants averaged 31.6 total CV research entries compared with 9.9 for non-RGY applicants (P < 0.0001), with 81.1% completing the gap year after their third year of medical school.
Among applicants completing an RGY, 71.0% matched into orthopaedic surgery, and 12.7% matched specifically at the institution where they completed their research year.

Cite This Study

Cotter et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7b2c70926e14a848b15b9 https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaos-d-25-00942

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