Effect of graduation centers on the academic career of orthopedic surgeons in Turkey

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess whether orthopedic surgeons' graduation centers affect their academic career. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, we have reached the education and working information of 1767 orthopedic surgeons currently working in Turkey. Orthopedic surgeons' graduation centre and city, current affiliation, current academic status and duration of practice were investigated through web. According to their graduation centre, orthopedic surgeons were divided into two groups as a university hospital and training and research hospital. Results: Orthopedic surgeons' current affiliations were significantly associated with their graduation centres and cities. Besides, orthopedic surgeons graduated from university hospitals were more likely to have an academic career than those graduated from training and research hospitals; however, no significant association was found between the city of graduation and academic career. According to regression analysis, orthopedic surgeons graduated from university hospitals were more likely to affiliate in university hospitals and private hospitals. Conclusion: Orthopedic surgeons graduated from university hospitals were significantly more likely to affiliate in university hospitals and to have an academic career in Turkey.