Can Future Academic Surgeons be Identified in the Residency Ranking Process?

Objective The goal of surgical residency training programs is to train competent surgeons. Academic surgical training programs also have as a mission training future academicians—surgical scientists, teachers, and leaders. However, selection of surgical residents is dependent on a relatively unscientific process. Here we sought to determine how well the residency selection process is able to identify future academicians in surgery. Design Rank lists from an academic surgical residency program from 1992 to 1997 were examined. All ranked candidates׳ career paths after residency were reviewed to determine whether they stayed in academics, were university affiliated, or in private practice. Setting The study was performed at New York Presbyterian Hospital—Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY. Participants A total of 663 applicants for general surgery residency participated in this study. Results In total 6 rank lists were evaluated, which included 663 candidates. Overall 76% remained in a general surgery subspecialty. Of those who remained in general surgery, 49% were in private practice, 20% were university affiliated, and 31% had academic careers. Approximately 47% of candidates that were ranked in the top 20 had ≥20 publications, with decreasing percentages as rank number increased. There was a strong correlation between the candidates׳ rank position and pursuing an academic career (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.89). Conclusions Graduates of surgical residency who were ranked highly at the time of the residency match were more likely to pursue an academic career. The residency selection process can identify candidates likely to be future academicians.