Which medical schools produce the most neurosurgery residents? An analysis of the 2014–2020 cohort

Abstract

OBJECTIVE In this study, the authors sought to determine which US medical schools have produced the most neurosurgery residents and to evaluate potential associations between recruitment and medical school characteristics. METHODS Demographic and bibliometric characteristics were collected for 1572 residents in US-based and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)–accredited neurosurgery programs over the 2014 to 2020 match period using publicly available websites. US medical school characteristics were collected, including class size, presence of a home neurosurgery program, number of clinical neurosurgery faculty, research funding, presence of a neurosurgery interest group, and a top 10 ranking via U.S. News & World Report or Doximity. Correlations and associations were then evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC), independent-samples t-test, and univariable or stepwise multivariable linear regression, as appropriate. RESULTS Vanderbilt University produced the most neurosurgery residents as a percentage of medical graduates at 3.799%. Case Western Reserve University produced the greatest absolute number of neurosurgery residents (n = 40). The following factors were shown to be associated with a higher mean percentage of graduates entering neurosurgery: number of clinical neurosurgery faculty (PCC 0.509, p < 0.001), presence of a neurosurgery interest group (1.022% ± 0.737% vs 0.351% ± 0.327%, p < 0.001) or home neurosurgery program (1.169% ± 0.766% vs 0.428% ± 0.327%, p < 0.001), allopathic compared with osteopathic school (0.976% ± 0.719% vs 0.232% ± 0.272%, p < 0.001), U.S. News top 10 ranking for neurology and neurosurgery (1.923% ± 0.924% vs 0.757% ± 0.607%, p < 0.001), Doximity top 10 residency program ranking (1.715% ± 0.803% vs 0.814% ± 0.688%, p < 0.001), and amount of NIH funding (PCC 0.528, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study have delineated which medical schools produced the most neurosurgery residents currently in training, and the most important independent factors predicting the percentage of graduates entering neurosurgery and the preresidency h-index.

Does Medical School Rank Impact Matching into Otolaryngology?

“…Furthermore, Ryan et al found that significantly more students at top ranked medical schools matched into dermatology, compared to lower tiered medical schools 9 . Similarly, medical schools with a Doximity reputation or U.S. News & World Report ranking in the top 10 for neurosurgery residency have more graduates match into neurosurgery 10 . Altogether, these studies demonstrate that medical school rank matters in the top five competitive specialties (i.e., plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, dermatology, and neurological surgery) 2…”

Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Neurosurgery: Challenges, Progress, and Future Directions

“…First, not all medical schools provide equal access and exposure to neurosurgery. A recent study by Antar et al 20 found that from 2014 to 2020, approximately 85% of neurosurgery residents attended neurosurgery feeder medical schools, which shared key characteristics that increased students’ early interest in neurosurgery, such as neurosurgery interest groups, a home neurosurgery training program, and large faculty size. By contrast, Black student representation is increased compared with the national average at nonfeeder medical schools, further widening the racial disparity gap in neurosurgery.…”

“…First, not all medical schools provide equal access and exposure to neurosurgery. A recent study by Antar et al 20 The Editor's Message Black student representation is increased compared with the national average at nonfeeder medical schools, further widening the racial disparity gap in neurosurgery. 21 In addition, with the economic burden of applying into neurosurgery continuing to be one of the highest (eg away rotations, research, etc) and having the longest residency training lengths, diverse students from low socioeconomic status can easily become overwhelmed by the prospects of the field because they frequently do not have the same financial support as their peers from higher-income households to spend thousands of dollars rotating at away institutions, interviewing, and often applying to many more programs.…”

Comparison of Osteopathic (DO) and Allopathic (MD) Candidates Matching Into Selected Surgical Subspecialties

“…There have been numerous studies looking at factors related to successful matches within these competitive subspecialties [17][18][19][20]. In evaluating these studies several factors were noted to be critical to improve a candidate's success in the match.…”

“…These include factors related to an individual's institution, as well as the candidate's own individual involvement. Successful graduates tend to come from institutions with high levels of research and funded research, strong mentorship programs, dedicated interest groups in the associated specialties, schools with early subspecialty exposure for medical students, and dedicated subspecialty faculty in the associated specialty [18][19][20][21]. By increasing the amount of research conducted at a medical institution, more grant money could be obtained from national research organizations to further support the expansion of such opportunities.…”