Evaluation Of Factors Associated With Successful Matriculation To Colon And Rectal Surgery Fellowship

BACKGROUND: As an increasing number of general surgery residents apply for fellowship positions, it is important to identify factors associated with successful matriculation. For applicants to colon and rectal surgery, there are currently no objective data available to distinguish which applicant attributes lead to successful matriculation.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify objective factors that differentiate colon and rectal surgery fellowship applicants who successfully matriculate with those who apply but do not matriculate.DESIGN: This was a retrospective analysis of colon and rectal surgery applicant characteristics.SETTINGS: Deidentified applicant data provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges from 2015 to 2017 were included.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Applicant demographics, medical school and residency factors, number of program applications, number of publications, and journal impact factors were analyzed to determine associations with successful matriculation.RESULTS: Most applicants (n = 371) and subsequent matriculants (n = 248) were white (61%, 62%), male (65%, 63%), US citizens (80%, 88%) who graduated from US allopathic medical schools (66%, 75%). Statistically significant associations included graduation from US allopathic medical schools (p < 0.0001), US citizenship (p < 0.0001), and number of program applications (p = 0.0004). Other factors analyzed included American Osteopathic Association membership (p = 0.57), universitybased residency (p = 0.51), and residency association with a colon and rectal surgery training program (p = 0.89). Number of publications and journal impact factors were not statistically different between cohorts (p = 0.067, p = 0.150).LIMITATIONS: American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination scores, rank list, and subjective characteristics, such as strength of interview and letters of recommendation, were not available using our data source.CONCLUSIONS: Successful matriculation to a colon and rectal surgery fellowship program was found to be associated with US citizenship, graduation from a US allopathic medical school, and greater number of program applications. The remaining objective metrics analyzed were not associated with successful matriculation. Subjective and objective factors that were unable to be measured by this study are likely to play a determining role. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B415.