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Recognized focused practice: Does sub-specialty designation offer value to the neurosurgeon?
Maya A Babu1, Linda M Liau2, Fredric B Meyer3
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Jackson Memorial Hospital, Ryder Trauma Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
Plos One
|December 15, 2017
Summary
Neurosurgical career development may benefit from Recognized Focused Practice (RFP) designations. However, the neurosurgical community shows limited enthusiasm for this specialized practice recognition.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Education
- Professional Development
Background:
- Current lifelong learning assessments in neurosurgery often focus on general knowledge.
- As neurosurgeons specialize, current assessments may not reflect their focused practice areas.
- This creates a gap in evaluating and improving expertise in specific surgical procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess neurosurgeons' interest in board-recognized Focused Practice (RFP) designations.
- To understand the perceived value and potential benefits of RFP for practicing neurosurgeons.
- To identify preferred areas for focused practice recognition within neurosurgery.
Main Methods:
- A validated, confidential online survey was distributed to 4,899 neurosurgeons.
- Respondents included those in Maintenance of Certification (MOC), grandfathered Diplomates, and retired Diplomates.
- A total of 1,449 responses were collected, yielding a 30% response rate.
Main Results:
- 49% of respondents found RFP designations unhelpful.
- Among those who found RFP helpful (30%), key perceived benefits included hospital recognition, staying current, and patient attraction.
- Popular areas for RFP were Spine, Cerebrovascular, Pediatrics, and Functional/Stereotactic surgery.
Conclusions:
- Recognized Focused Practice (RFP) may offer individual benefits to neurosurgeons.
- The broader neurosurgical community exhibits a lukewarm reception to pursuing RFP designations.
- Further exploration is needed to understand the drivers of this tepid interest and potential implementation strategies.
