The Role of Athletic Event Coverage in Orthopaedic Residency Training: A National Survey of Residency Program Directors.

INTRODUCTION: No Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guidelines exist regarding athletic event coverage by orthopaedic residents. This study assesses the availability and characteristics of event coverage opportunities in residency programs.

METHODS: An anonymous web-based survey assessing resident athletic event coverage opportunities was distributed to members (n = 158) of the American Orthopaedic Association's Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors.

RESULTS: The survey response rate was 39% (n = 62). Most of the programs (76%) offer athletic event coverage opportunities for residents, most (54%) of which are optional. Of the programs with coverage opportunities, 34 (74%) have a teaching curriculum and 10 (22%) report that residents are always under the direct supervision of an attending orthopaedic surgeon. Thirty programs (64%) count the time spent at athletic events toward duty hours.

DISCUSSION: A comprehensive and uniform resident experience for athletic event coverage does not exist. This finding may represent an area of deficiency in orthopaedic training requiring enhanced national standards.