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Sociodemographics Impact Competitiveness in the Neurosurgical Match: Survey Results
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Sociodemographics Impact Competitiveness in the Neurosurgical Match: Survey Results

Sangami Pugazenthi, Alexander S. Fabiano, Awinita Barpujari, Meena Vessell, Vamsi Reddy, Owoicho Adogwa and Karin R. Swartz
World neurosurgery, v 182, pp e308-e318
Feb 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2023.11.105
PMID: 38008166
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Diversity Gender Intersectionality Neurosurgical match
The neurosurgical match involves selecting future neurosurgeons who will comprise the future national workforce, based on a competitive ranking process of applicants. We aimed to identify which sociodemographic and academic factors influence competitiveness and rank position in the match. A Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS) survey was distributed to current U.S. neurosurgical residents. The primary outcome measure was self-reported rank position of matched program. Variables included sociodemographic and academic metrics. Fisher exact, logistic regression, and t tests were performed. Among the 72 respondents, median United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score was 248, 34.7% were Alpha Omega Alpha inductees, 77.8% completed 1–3 sub-internship rotations, median number of publications was 5, and 13.9% had a Ph.D. Sociodemographic analysis demonstrated that 69.4% were male and 30.6% were female. Applicants with a home neurosurgery program or of female gender had statistically significantly higher odds of matching into a top 3 program on their rank list (odds ratio = 9 and odds ratio = 6, respectively). Female applicants exhibited similar mean, but less variance, compared with male respondents for United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 scores and number of publications. Respondents with a top 3 program match were more likely to agree that the home program supported their pursuance of neurosurgery. Two sociodemographic factors were independently associated with high match rank: presence of home neurosurgery program and female gender. Female respondents reported consistently strong academic metrics (similar mean, but less variance, compared with male respondents).

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Clinical Neurology
Surgery
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