Trends in Research Gap Years Among Orthopaedic Residency Applicants

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to (1) assess the incidence of orthopaedic surgery residency applicants who pursued a dedicated research gap year (RGY) before application over a 10-year time frame at a single academic institution, (2) evaluate differences in applicant characteristics based on RGY participation, and (3) identify factors linked to match success among those who completed a research year. METHODS: Applications submitted to a single orthopaedic residency program from the 2014-2015 to the 2023-2024 cycles were reviewed. RGY participation was defined as taking a minimum of 9 months to pursue a dedicated research experience as noted in each ERAS application. MPH, MBA, or PhD programs were excluded. The timing of the RGY was noted, and USMLE scores; sex; number of publications, presentations, and abstracts; medical school location; and Alpha Omega Alpha status were extracted from applications. RESULTS: The percentage of applicants who pursued a RGY increased from 7.4% in 2014-2015 to 14.4% in 2023-2024. A strong positive correlation was noted between the percentage of applicants who participated in a RGY and time (r = 0.95 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.80 to 0.99], P < 0.0001). Over the study period, 12.2% of applicants had done a RGY, most commonly after their third year of medical school (81.1%). RGY applicants had an average of 31.6 total lines on their CV compared with 9.9 for non-RGY applicants (P < 0.0001). Among RGY applicants, 71.0% matched into orthopaedics, and 12.7% matched at the same institution where they did their RGY. DISCUSSION: Between 2014 and 2024, the percentage of applicants who completed a RGY doubled. These applicants demonstrated greater academic productivity and a higher-than-average match rate, particularly at the institution hosting the RGY. These findings suggest that RGY opportunities are becoming more sought after and may enhance orthopaedic residency match success, although additional multi-institutional research is warranted.