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J Hand Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1760764
Original Article

Differences in Academic Qualifications for Leadership at Hand Surgery Fellowships in the United States

Jason Silvestre
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
,
James A. Clemmons
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
,
Benjamin Chang
1   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
,
Robert H. Wilson
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
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Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective In the United States, orthopaedic, general, and plastic surgery hand fellowship programs train hand surgeons. Currently, differences in the academic qualifications of hand surgery fellowship directors (HSFDs) are unknown. This study compares the academic qualifications of HSFDs by specialty.

Methods American Medical Association's Residency and Fellowship Database was queried for hand surgery fellowship training programs. Scholarly activity, academic characteristics, and training pedigrees were collected for each HSFD.

Results Ninety-two HSFDs (73 orthopaedic surgeons, 17 plastic surgeons, 2 general surgeons) were identified. Most were male (87%) and Caucasian (82%). Mean age was 55 ± 11 years and most were trained in orthopaedic surgery (80%). Ten percent of orthopaedic hand surgery fellowship programs were run by a plastic surgeon HSFD, which was greater than 0% of plastic surgery hand fellowship programs run by an orthopaedic surgeon HSFD (p < 0.05). Mean H-index was 15 ± 9 from an average of 57 ± 47 publications. Orthopaedic and plastic surgeon HSFDs had similar levels of scholarly activity (p > 0.05). Age correlated with higher H-index values (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). More plastic surgeon HSFDs were trained by their top five fellowship programs than orthopaedic surgeon HSFDs (65 vs. 27%, p < 0.05).

Conclusion Ultimately, HSFDs have strong research backgrounds and similar characteristics despite disparate training pathways. Women and racial minority groups are largely underrepresented among leadership positions at hand surgery fellowships. These benchmarks can help inform future diversity initiatives.

Keywords

fellowship - directors - academic - surgery - hand


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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
23. Januar 2023

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