Relation of Doximity ranking and matched applicant characteristics in orthopedic residency programs.

Orthopedic surgery residency applicants often turn to data from many online ranking platforms to select programs. The purpose of this study was to determine if programs belonging to different Doximity ranking groups and US geographical regions favor certain applicant characteristics in order to give prospective residents more data to make informed application decisions. 2019 Doximity rankings and matched applicant data from the 2019 Association of American Medical Colleges Residency Navigator were collected and used to determine differences among matched applicant characteristics in Doximity ranking groups and US regions. Matched applicants from the top Doximity ranking group had, on average, significantly more peer-reviewed publications than those of any other ranking group. Among US regions, matched applicants in South Atlantic programs had, on average, significantly fewer peer-reviewed publications than those in Mid Atlantic programs. Residents at South Atlantic programs spent a significantly higher percentage of their first-year training in ambulatory community settings than those in Mid Atlantic, Pacific, or East North Central programs. In conclusion, Doximity ranking is associated with certain applicant qualities more than others, and applicants can use the information in this study to strategically apply to institutions with similar training and educational goals.