Diversity within the neurosurgical oncology workforce in the United States: A cross-sectional study with proposed strategies to pave the path forward

Zerubabbel Ketema Asfaw, Analiz Rodriguez, Tiffany Renee Hodges, Madhu Mazumdar, Serena Zhan, Michael Lim, Isabelle Margherita Germano

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Improving and fostering diversity within the neurosurgical workforce has become a high priority. This cross-sectional study aims to provide data on the diversity of neurosurgical oncology faculty (NSOF) in the US. Methods. All 115 neurosurgery (NS) Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited programs were included in this study. The academic rank, academic and clinical title(s), gender, race, and hiring date of neurosurgical faculty with a primary focus on neurosurgical oncology (NSOF) were recorded. Geographical distribution and "top 10"programs were tabulated according to published data. Underrepresented minorities in medicine (URiM) faculty were identified according to the AAMC definition. Results. The NSOF workforce constitutes 21% of the total NS faculty. Of these, 10.1% are women and 9.9% are URiM (P < .001). Currently, 58% of neurosurgery programs (NSP) do not have URiM and/or women NSOF. The top 10 ranked NSP, according to Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, had a significantly less URiM NSOF (P = .019) than nontop 10 ranked programs. There was a decreasing trend in the proportion of URiM at higher academic ranks (P = .019). All of the URiM department chairs (3/113)-all men-and 1/3 women department chairs nationwide subspecialized in neurosurgical oncology. Conclusions. Neurosurgical oncology is a sought-after subspecialty attracting a fifth of neurosurgeons practicing in ACGME-accredited training programs. Changing demographics and the benefits of workforce diversity represent a great opportunity for our field to continue leading inclusion efforts and attracting the best and brightest.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)177-184
Number of pages8
JournalNeuro-Oncology
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2023

Keywords

  • URiM neurosurgeons
  • diversity
  • neurosurgical oncology workforce
  • women neurosurgeons

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Diversity within the neurosurgical oncology workforce in the United States: A cross-sectional study with proposed strategies to pave the path forward'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this