Trends for diversity recruitment in orthopedics: Rise of sub-internship scholarships

Background: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of orthopedic residency recruitment trends through scholarships for candidates underrepresented in medicine (URM), and other departmental initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Methods: 74 institutions offering URM scholarships through AMCAS were contacted in September 2023 regarding their experience with these programs. We additionally disseminated a survey in August 2024 to all US based orthopedic surgery residency program coordinators querying departmental DEI efforts. Results: 29 institutions shared information regarding URM scholarships. The earliest was implemented in 1990 by Harvard University's Visiting Clerkship Program, the next by Stanford's Clinical Opportunity for Residency Experience (SCORE) program in 2017. Since then, 42 students have rotated with orthopedic surgery through SCORE with seven matching into residency at Stanford. URM scholarships have increased in the last five years. Of the US based orthopedic surgery residency programs sent our survey, 36 programs responded. 62.9% reported having a departmental DEI Committee; 24 reported offering DEI specific funding. 45.7% of programs reported hosting DEI pipeline programs, 47.1% DEI guest lecturers, and 42.9% DEI research in the last year. Only departments with DEI committees offered URM scholarships. Departments with black faculty were significantly more likely to have DEI committees. All programs reporting having a female or black resident hosted a DEI guest lecturer. Conclusion: Early results of URM scholarships and interdepartmental DEI efforts show preliminary successful recruitment of participants into residency at host institutions.