The Ortho Surgery Match Game: Signaling, Away Rotations, Research Years, and More

In this episode, host Richard Schaefer, MD, FAAOS, welcomes William Levine, MD, FAAOS, and Amiethab Aiyer, MD, FAAOS, to weigh in on some of the controversial aspects of the orthopaedic surgery match program.

Drs. Levine and Aiyer discuss whether it's actually worth doing a research year or away rotations, how students can find the right mentors to guide them throughout the match process (including breaking up with the wrong mentors), and why there is such a thing as too many applications. 

They also urge attendings, fellows, and residents to be impactful mentors — helping students who are interested in becoming orthopaedic surgeons match into orthopaedic surgery and, just as important, having those tough conversations with students who don't belong in orthopaedic surgery and encouraging them to find their true passion. 

This episode is a must-listen for both medical students considering a career in orthopaedic surgery and the orthopaedic surgeons who have the opportunity to shape the future of the specialty.

Guests: William N. Levine, MD, FAAOS, the Frank E. Stinchfield Professor and Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Chief of the Orthopaedics Service at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center; and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Amiethab Aiyer, MD, FAAOS, Division Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Deputy Editor, Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Host: Richard Schaefer, MD, FAAOS, member, AAOS Now Editorial Board