Doximity Orthopaedic Surgery Program Rankings Are Associated with Academic Productivity

Abstract

Background: Doximity residency rankings are used to compare training programs. Reputation is a component of Doximity rankings and is based on physician surveys. Outcomes-based measures allow for objective program comparison and may be more appropriate when assessing programs. This study evaluated how Doximity rankings of orthopaedic surgery residency programs compare with an outcomes-based ranking of programs based on academic productivity. This study also evaluated whether program size and type were associated with academic productivity. Methods: Orthopaedic program rankings, size, type, and research productivity were recorded from Doximity. An academic productivity score was calculated by averaging the mean percentage of alumni clinical trials and alumni publications. Analysis of variance and post hoc analyses were performed to determine whether academic productivity was associated with program reputation, size, and type. Results: One hundred seventy-five orthopaedic residency programs were included. Program rankings, size, and type had a statistically significant association with academic productivity (p < 0.0001). The 44 orthopaedic programs in the top quartile had an academic productivity score of 79.1 ± 13 in comparison with programs in the bottom quartile, who had a score of 38.3 ± 12.1 (p < 0.0001). Of the programs in the top quartile of reputation rankings, 32 (73%) were also in the top quartile for academic productivity. Programs with more residents demonstrated greater academic productivity than smaller programs. Twenty-three programs (13%) had more than 30 residents and a mean academic productivity of 76.2 ± 14.8. In comparison, 13 programs (7.5%) had 10 or fewer residents with an academic productivity score of 40.6 ± 16.3 (p < 0.0001). An academic productivity score differed significantly based on program type: university (63.9 ± 14.8), military (54.7 ± 16.9), university/community (46.3 ± 15.6), and community (38.7 ± 15) (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Academic productivity among orthopaedic residency programs is associated with Doximity ranking, program size, and type. This information can be used by medical students, residents, and physicians to understand the Doximity rankings and how they correlate with this objective measure. Level of Evidence: III.