Abstract: Objective To investigate the current status of English language skills among orthopedic surgeons and to explore the influencing factors of their English language level. Methods A total of 100 orthopedic surgeons, a third-grade hospital and a secondary-grade hospital were selected and evaluated using Cambridge University English Examination Papers. They were grouped according to the level of English, which was found to be related to age, education, training experience abroad, employer hospital and the quantity of SCI papers. Results The English scores ranged from 10 to 25 points. The univariate analysis showed that age, education, experience of training abroad, employer hospital, and published SCI papers were related to the English proficiency of orthopedic surgeons(P＜0.05); Multiple regression analysis showed that education, level of employer hospital, experience of going abroad and of SCI paper publication had significant impact on English proficiency. Conclusions Orthopedic surgeons' English level is individually different. Improving their education, providing overseas study opportunities, and strengthen their capacity building of publishing SCI papers can rise their English level.

Key words: surgeon, language, influencing factors