International Women in Neurosurgery

Hernández-Durán, Silvia; Drummond, Katharine J.; Karekezi, Claire; Murphy, Mary; Nejat, Farideh; Zanon, Nelci; Rosseau, Gail

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-99166-1_1

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Neurosurgical workforce data were obtained for 210 nations through 42 included sources ( Supplemental Digital Content 2, Supplemental Table 1 , http://links.lww.com/NEU/E46). 1,17,18,22-61 A world map denoting total neurosurgeons per capita is shown in Figure 1. The color scale denotes countries in green if they have at least 1 neurosurgeon per 200 000 population as this has been described as the minimum requirement for essential neurosurgical workforce to address neurotrauma in low- and middle-income countries.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women Neurosurgeons Worldwide: Characterizing the Global Female Neurosurgical Workforce

Vaca,

Theologitis,

Zygourakis

2023

Neurosurgery

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As the global neurosurgical workforce expands, so do the contributions of women neurosurgeons. Recent studies highlighted pioneering women leaders in neurosurgery and provided invaluable perspectives into the proportion of women neurosurgeons in regions across the world. To provide a broad perspective of global trends, this study aims to characterize the global female neurosurgical workforce and evaluate its association with countries' economic status, broader physician workforce, and global gender gap index (GGGI). METHODS: A literature search included studies dated 2016–2023 characterizing the neurosurgical workforce. Total neurosurgeons, neurosurgeons per capita, and percent of women neurosurgeons by country were collected or calculated from available data. Countries were stratified by World Health Organization (WHO) region, World Bank economic classification, WHO physician workforce, and GGGI. Poisson regressions and Spearman correlation tests were performed to evaluate the association between each country's percent of women neurosurgeons and their economic classification, WHO physician workforce, and GGGI. RESULTS: Neurosurgical workforce data were obtained for 210 nations; world maps were created demonstrating neurosurgeons per capita and proportion of women neurosurgeons. Africa had the fewest neurosurgeons (1296) yet highest percentage of women neurosurgeons (15%). A total of 94 of 210 (45%) countries met the minimum requirement of neurosurgeons needed to address neurotrauma. Compared with low-income countries, upper-middle–income and high-income countries had 27.5 times greater the rate of neurosurgeons per capita but only 1.02 and 2.57 times greater percentage of women neurosurgeons, respectively (P < .001). There was a statistically significant association between GGI and women neurosurgeons (P < .001) and a weak correlation between proportion of women in physician workforce and women neurosurgeons (P = .019, rho = 0.33). CONCLUSION: Much progress has been made in expanding the neurosurgical workforce and the proportion of women within it, but disparities remain. As we address the global neurosurgeon deficit, improving recruitment and retention of women neurosurgeons through mentorship, collaboration, and structural support is essential.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women Neurosurgeons Worldwide: Characterizing the Global Female Neurosurgical Workforce

Vaca,

Theologitis,

Zygourakis

2023

Neurosurgery

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“…“Neurosurgery is a specialty for men” is a regrettable expression heard several times. Diana Beck, from the United Kingdom ( 21 ) was the first female neurosurgeon in 1939 women are also the object of prejudices in the hiring, evaluation, promotion and compensation processes compared to men in neurosurgery, the high competitive ability, the long duration of the specialty, the arduous working hours in the operating room are qualities that in a context of meritocracy are traditionally considered positive values of the male stereotype, but not so of the female ( 22 ). “Stereotypes, very simple and internalized cognitive schemes that we apply to people because they belong to a group, such as gender, tell us how men and women should be.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenging assumptions: “unveiling meritocracy’s reality in neurosurgery”

Encarnacion Ramirez,

Peralta Baez,

Reyes Soto

et al. 2024

Front. Surg.

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IntroductionMeritocracy, a concept revered as the cornerstone of fairness and equal opportunity, is critically examined in the context of neurosurgery. This article challenges the notion that success in this demanding field is solely determined by individual abilities and effort. It reveals that factors such as background, gender, and socioeconomic status significantly influence one's career trajectory. By investigating how these systemic barriers impact admissions to neurosurgical training programs and professional advancement, the paper underscores the complexity of meritocracy in neurosurgery, suggesting that the meritocratic ideal is more nuanced and influenced by external variables than commonly believed.ResultsCertain universities deemed elite offer a curriculum divergent from that of their counterparts in low and middle-income countries. Students at these “elite” institutions gain exposure to new technologies and research incentives, which brings us to the realm of research. Remarkably, 75% of articles originating from developed nations account for just 25% of traumatic brain injury cases. This disparity highlights a significant research imbalance, and the common refrain underscores the need to bolster research capabilities in low-income countries. For neurosurgeons in the developing world, engaging in research often becomes a luxury due to multifaceted challenges. Financial barriers, including publication costs and paywalls for accessing articles, pose significant hurdles. Comparing salaries between countries underscores the glaring divide according to “Neurosurgeon Salary” in 2024. Neurosurgeons in the United States receive a median salary of $412,000 dollars per year, compared to $13,200 dollars in Latin America, as of June 2023. Given such incongruities, the prospect of even attending conferences or workshops abroad remains difficult for neurosurgeons from developing nations. Research isn't cast aside due to a lack of interest but due to resource limitations. The present landscape demands reconsideration.ConclusionWe underscore the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future in neurosurgery as not just a goal, but a dynamic process fuelled by resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to diversity. The narrative promotes a collective endeavour to dismantle barriers and embrace innovation, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, cross-institutional collaboration, and the amplification of underrepresented voices.

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The History and Current State of Neurosurgery in Albania

Nico,

Grada,

Xhumari

et al. 2023

Neurosurgery Practice

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Up to one-third of the global burden of disease involves surgical conditions; however, 5 in 7 people across the world do not have access to timely, affordable surgical care. Low- and middle-income countries account for the majority of the inequities in access to timely surgical care, where the availability of specialty surgical services such as neurosurgery is limited or unavailable. Albania, situated in the Western Balkan region, was once one of the poorest countries in Europe. It is now an upper-middle-income country, and an example of the impact of democratic regime changes in Europe after 1990. This article provides the first-ever examination of the history and current state of neurosurgery in this country. We set the stage with a brief historical background on Albania, including its neurosurgical history. Then, we describe the current state of neurosurgical activity and infrastructure in Albania. Finally, we conclude with suggestions on future neurosurgical efforts for the development of neurosurgery in small countries with variable economic resources.

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International Women in Neurosurgery

Cited by 3 publications

References 46 publications

Women Neurosurgeons Worldwide: Characterizing the Global Female Neurosurgical Workforce

Women Neurosurgeons Worldwide: Characterizing the Global Female Neurosurgical Workforce

Challenging assumptions: “unveiling meritocracy’s reality in neurosurgery”

The History and Current State of Neurosurgery in Albania

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