United States Neurosurgery Department Program Directors: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Current and Future Trends...

While United States (U.S.) neurosurgery residency programs have been subject to many studies, none have focused solely on the program directors (PDs). We aim to analyze the demographic, educational, and academic attributes of this cohort to understand current and future trends of PDs.

One hundred sixteen neurosurgeons listed as PDs at U.S. accredited neurosurgical residency training programs as of August 2022 were assessed. Descriptive data including age upon acceptance of role, gender, and h-index were collected from publicly available sources.

Most PDs matriculated to their positions before the age of 45 years, were male, and had been hired internally. Approximately 25% of PDs had earned an additional degree. Departments with higher aggregate h-indexes were more likely to hire PDs with higher average publications per year (P < 0.001) and have a higher h-index (P < 0.001). PD subspecialty influenced h-index (P < 0.05) and total average publications per year (P < 0.05) with neuro-oncology subspecialists having higher averages in both. More recently hired PDs had a higher average number of publications per year (P < 0.05) and were more likely to hold an additional degree (odds ratio 1.14, P < 0.05). Female PDs were hired at a younger age (P < 0.05).

Neurosurgery PDs typically rise to their position after 10 years of practice and more recent PD hires are more likely to have additional degrees and more publications. As academic neurosurgery becomes more competitive, increased academic productivity and acquisition of additional degrees will become increasingly necessary.