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Mapping the global neurosurgery workforce. Part 2: Trainee density
Saksham Gupta1,2, Zsombor T Gal3, Tejas S Athni3
11Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Journal of Neurosurgery
|November 7, 2024
Summary
Global neurosurgery training programs and trainee numbers are estimated at 1261 and 10,546, respectively. High-income countries and certain WHO regions show disproportionately higher trainee densities, with low-income countries facing resource limitations.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery Workforce Development
- Global Health Equity
- Medical Education
Background:
- A sustainable neurosurgery workforce requires understanding the global trainee landscape.
- Previous data on the size and distribution of neurosurgery trainees worldwide is lacking.
- Identifying training program characteristics and support is crucial for workforce planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the number and distribution of global neurosurgery training programs and trainees.
- To assess the support, diversity of experiences, and accreditation processes for neurosurgery trainees.
- To analyze disparities in neurosurgery training resources based on country income and geographic region.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional online survey was administered across 193 countries and 26 territories.
- Participants were identified via neurosurgery societies, author contacts, and bibliometric searches.
- Data were analyzed using population-weighted statistics, stratified by country income level and WHO regions.
Main Results:
- An estimated 1261 neurosurgery training programs and 10,546 trainees were identified globally.
- Trainee density was significantly higher in high-income countries (0.48/100,000) compared to low- and middle-income countries.
- Low-income countries reported poorer access to subspecialty training and resources; accreditation was less common in LMICs.
Conclusions:
- The global neurosurgery trainee workforce is estimated at 10,546 across 1261 programs.
- Significant disparities exist in trainee density and resource availability between high-income and low-/middle-income countries.
- Addressing these inequities is vital for a sustainable and globally representative neurosurgery workforce.
