Perceived effectiveness of video interviews for orthopaedic surgery residency during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: During the 2020-21 residency interview season, interviews were conducted through virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study is to assess the general perceptions of applicants, residents and attendings at a single, large, metropolitan orthopaedic residency with regards to the video interview process before and after the interview season. METHODS: Surveys were sent to all orthopaedic applicants, residents, and attendings before the interview season. Applicants who received interviews and responded to the first survey (46) and faculty who responded to the first survey (28) were sent a second survey after interviews to assess how their perceptions of video interviews changed. RESULTS: Initially, 50% of applicants (360/722) and 50% of faculty and residents (28/56) responded before interview season. After interviews, 55% of interviewees (25/46) and 64% of faculty and residents (18/28) responded. Before interviews, 91% of applicants stated they would prefer in-person interviews and 71% were worried that video interviews would prevent them from finding the best program fit. Before interviews, 100% of faculty and residents stated they would rather conduct in-person interviews and 86% felt that residencies would be less likely to find applicants who best fit the program. Comparing responses before and after interviews, 16% fewer applicants (p = 0.01) perceived that in-person interviews provide a better sense of a residency program and faculty and residents' perceived ability to build rapport with interviewees improved in 11% of respondents (p = 0.01). However, in-person interviews were still heavily favored by interviewees (84%) and faculty and residents (88%) after the interview season. CONCLUSIONS: In-person interviews for Orthopaedic Surgery Residency are perceived as superior and are preferred among the overwhelming majority of applicants, residents, and interviewers. Nevertheless, perceptions toward video interviews improved in certain domains after interview season, identifying potential areas of improvement and alternative interview options for future applicants.

Use of the Behavior Assessment Tool in 18 Pilot Residency Programs.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and evaluate the effectiveness of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Behavior Tool (ABOSBT) for measuring professionalism. METHODS: Through collaboration between the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and American Orthopaedic Association's Council of Residency Directors, 18 residency programs piloted the use of the ABOSBT. Residents requested assessments from faculty at the end of their clinical rotations, and a 360° request was performed near the end of the academic year. Program Directors (PDs) rated individual resident professionalism (based on historical observation) at the outset of the study, for comparison to the ABOSBT results. RESULTS: Nine thousand eight hundred ninety-two evaluations were completed using the ABOSBT for 449 different residents by 1,012 evaluators. 97.6% of all evaluations were scored level 4 or 5 (high levels of professional behavior) across all of the 5 domains. In total, 2.4% of all evaluations scored level 3 or below reflecting poorer performance. Of 431 residents, the ABOSBT identified 26 of 32 residents who were low performers (2 or more < level 3 scores in a domain) and who also scored "below expectations" by the PD at the start of the pilot project (81% sensitivity and 57% specificity), including 13 of these residents scoring poorly in all 5 domains. Evaluators found the ABOSBT was easy to use (96%) and that it was an effective tool to assess resident professional behavior (81%). CONCLUSIONS: The ABOSBT was able to identify 2.4% low score evaluations (

Radiographic Predictors of Screw Cutout for Intertrochanteric Fractures Treated With Cephalomedullary Nails.

The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of tip-apex distance (TAD) and Parker's ratio for screw cutout after treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures with a long cephalomedullary nail. A total of 97 patients with AO/OTA 31-A1-A3 intertrochanteric fractures and a minimum follow-up of 8 weeks were included. Increased Parker's ratio on the anteroposterior radiograph (OR = 1.386, p < .003) and lateral radiograph (OR = 1.138, p < .028) was significantly associated with screw cutout. In a multivariable regression analysis, only the Parker's anteroposterior ratio was significantly associated with risk of screw cutout (OR = 1.393, p = .004), but TAD (OR = 0.977, p = .764) and Parker's lateral ratio (OR 1.032, p = .710) were not independent predictors of cutout. The study concluded that Parker's anteroposterior ratio is the most helpful measurement in predicting screw cutout. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 28(2):115-120, 2019).

Proximal Tibiofibular Dislocation Repaired with Syndesmotic Suture Buttons: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Dislocations of the proximal tibiofibular joint (PTFJ) are a relatively rare orthopedic injury. They are often repaired with open reduction internal fixation utilizing a transfixation screw. Limited data are available concerning alternative repair methods. CASE REPORT: This report details a 46-year-old male who presented with an open Type IIIA comminuted mid-shaft tibia and segmental fibula fractures after being struck by a car traveling 70mph. Computed tomography confirmed comminuted and displaced tibia and fibula fractures with PTFJ dislocation as well as air tracking through the anterior compartment of the leg communicating with the knee joint. He underwent open reduction internal fixation with intramedullary nailing of his tibial shaft fracture and PTFJ syndesmosis repair with two suture buttons. X-ray at post-operative follow-up 2 years later showed complete healing without evidence of failure or hardware loosening. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates a patient treated with suture buttons, which provides an alternative option in treating PTFJ dislocations with a reported decreased likelihood of hardware removal and faster return to work.

Short Versus Long Cephalomedullary Nails for Pertrochanteric Hip Fracture.

This study compared patients who underwent treatment with short or long cephalomedullary nails with integrated cephalocervical screws and linear compression. Patients with AO/OTA 31-A2 or A3 pertrochanteric fractures treated with either short (n=72) or long (n=97) InterTAN (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tennessee) cephalomedullary nails were reviewed. Information on perioperative measures (estimated blood loss, surgical time, and fluoroscopy time) and postoperative orthopedic complications (infection, implant failure, screw cutout, and periprosthetic femur fracture) was included. Estimated blood loss (short nail, 161 mL; long nail, 208 mL; P=.002) and surgical time (short nail, 64 minutes; long nail, 83 minutes; P=.001) were lower in the short nail group. There were no differences in fluoroscopy time (short nail, 90 seconds; long nail, 142 seconds; P=.071) or rates of infection (short nail, 1.4%; long nail, 3.1%; P=.637) or overall orthopedic complications (short nail, 11.1%; long nail, 9.3%; P=.798) between the 2 groups. The long nail group had a trend toward more screw cutouts (long nail, 5.2%; short nail, 0.0%; P=.134) but fewer periprosthetic femur fractures (short nail, 8.3%; long nail, 0.0%; P=.013). This study found a similar overall rate of orthopedic complications between short and long nails with integrated cephalocervical screws and linear compression. These results confirm the suspected advantages of short nails, including faster surgery and less blood loss; however, the rate of periprosthetic femur fracture remains high, despite changes to implant design. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(2):83-88.].