Geographic landscape of foreign medical graduates in US neurosurgery training programs from 2007 to 2017

Background Neurosurgery residency became one of the most competitive specialties in the medical field worldwide, which is increasing with time in contrast to the limited positions. Therefore, the requirements for the program have increased. There are different criteria for each program, which are determined by specific factors. It has become increasingly important for medical students to be aware of the factors that affect their acceptance into the program. There was a lack of data regarding the factors that contribute to the selection of neurosurgery residents in Oman Methods A questionnaire composed of 14 questions was conducted, using the SurveyMonkey Web site, among neurosurgeons in Oman which was distributed to the five hospitals that have neurosurgery departments in Oman. SPSS software was used in the analysis of the collected data. Results Forty-four participants responded to the survey. Ninety-five percent of them answered all the questions. Out of all participants, only two were female participants. Standardized international exam scores, such as the United State Medical Licensing Examination and Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination, ranked as the most important factor with a percentage of 44, followed by interview performance with a percentage of 33. While the least important factor was the age of applicants, which 46% of the participants ranked 8. Conclusion Most of the participants agreed that standardized exams are the most important factor in the selection of neurosurgery residents followed by interview performance, although there was no significant statistical difference between the two.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 2 Furthermore, Chandra et al 12 highlighted that graduating from small medical schools or schools without an associated neurosurgery department is a disadvantage facing applicants in the U.S. neurosurgery match as it is difficult to stand out among applicants from a brand-name medical school or a strong neurosurgery program. 12 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection of Neurosurgical Applicants in the High-Income Developing Country Lacking Local Residency Program: A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2023

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“…According to studies done in the U.S., medical school attended was selected as one of the factors affecting neurosurgery residents' selection by neurosurgery residency program directors. 2 Furthermore, Chandra et al 12 highlighted that graduating from small medical schools or schools without an associated neurosurgery department is a disadvantage facing applicants in the U.S. neurosurgery match as it is difficult to stand out among applicants from a brand-name medical school or a strong neurosurgery program. 12 A previous study conducted in Oman revealed that a high number of students believed that adding a neurosurgery rotation during medical school will have a positive impact in the field and contribute to the awareness and knowledge of the neurosurgical conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untitled

2023

Surg J (N Y)

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Given the increasing numbers of neurosurgery residency applicants and the limited numbers of training positions since 1985, neurosurgery has become one of the most competitive specialties in the United Stated of America. 1 Similarly, in the United Kingdom neurosurgery has ranked in the top 5 most competitive programs for surgical training positions from 2015 up to 2017. 2 When it comes to Oman, there is no local neurosurgical residency program. Applicants interested in neurosurgery need to go abroad for their residency. 3,4 The selection Keywords ► neurosurgery selection ► Oman ► neurosurgery residency programBackground Neurosurgery residency became one of the most competitive specialties in the medical field worldwide, which is increasing with time in contrast to the limited positions. Therefore, the requirements for the program have increased. There are different criteria for each program, which are determined by specific factors. It has become increasingly important for medical students to be aware of the factors that affect their acceptance into the program. There was a lack of data regarding the factors that contribute to the selection of neurosurgery residents in Oman Methods A questionnaire composed of 14 questions was conducted, using the SurveyMonkey Web site, among neurosurgeons in Oman which was distributed to the five hospitals that have neurosurgery departments in Oman. SPSS software was used in the analysis of the collected data.Results Forty-four participants responded to the survey. Ninety-five percent of them answered all the questions. Out of all participants, only two were female participants. Standardized international exam scores, such as the United State Medical Licensing Examination and Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination, ranked as the most important factor with a percentage of 44, followed by interview performance with a percentage of 33. While the least important factor was the age of applicants, which 46% of the participants ranked 8. Conclusion Most of the participants agreed that standardized exams are the most important factor in the selection of neurosurgery residents followed by interview performance, although there was no significant statistical difference between the two.

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“…In addition, barriers are increasing to clinical work for temporary or transient foreign neurosurgeons or medical students in US hospitals due to liability and other legal issues. Clinical or clerkship opportunities are uniquely available to IMGs from Caribbean medical schools due to their location and the fact many are US citizens (i.e., US-IMG) ( 42 , 43 ). Thus, the research period for IMGs continues to be an opportune means to demonstrate the resourcefulness and accomplishment to support a neurosurgical residency application.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analyzing international medical graduate research productivity for application to US neurosurgery residency and beyond: A survey of applicants, program directors, and institutional experience

Mignucci-Jiménez

Houlihan

et al. 2022

Front. Surg.

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BackgroundThe authors investigated perceived discrepancies between the neurosurgical research productivity of international medical graduates (IMGs) and US medical graduates (USMGs) through the perspective of program directors (PDs) and successfully matched IMGs.MethodsResponses to 2 separate surveys on neurosurgical applicant research productivity in 115 neurosurgical programs and their PDs were analyzed. Neurosurgical research participation was analyzed using an IMG survey of residents who matched into neurosurgical residency within the previous 8 years. Productivity of IMGs conducting dedicated research at the study institution was also analyzed.ResultsThirty-two of 115 (28%) PDs responded to the first research productivity survey and 43 (37%) to the second IMG research survey. PDs expected neurosurgery residency applicants to spend a median of 12–24 months on research (Q1-Q3: 0–12 to 12–24; minimum time: 0–24; maximum time: 0–48) and publish a median of 5 articles (Q1-Q3: 2–5 to 5–10; minimum number: 0–10; maximum number: 4–20). Among 43 PDs, 34 (79%) ranked “research institution or associated personnel” as the most important factor when evaluating IMGs' research. Forty-two of 79 (53%) IMGs responding to the IMG-directed survey reported a median of 30 months (Q1-Q3: 18–48; range: 4–72) of neurosurgical research and 12 published articles (Q1-Q3: 6–24; range: 1–80) before beginning neurosurgical residency. Twenty-two PDs (69%) believed IMGs complete more research than USMGs before residency. Of 20 IMGs conducting dedicated neuroscience/neurosurgery research at the study institution, 16 of 18 who applied matched or entered a US neurosurgical training program; 2 applied and entered a US neurosurgical clinical fellowship.ConclusionThe research work of IMGs compared to USMGs who apply to neurosurgery residency exceeds PDs' expectations regarding scientific output and research time. Many PDs perceive IMG research productivity before residency application as superior to USMGs. Although IMGs comprise a small percentage of trainees, they are responsible for a significant amount of US-published neurosurgical literature. Preresidency IMG research periods may be improved with dedicated mentoring and advising beginning before the research period, during the period, and within a neurosurgery research department, providing a formal structure such as a research fellowship or graduate program for IMGs aspiring to train in the US.

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Geographic landscape of foreign medical graduates in US neurosurgery training programs from 2007 to 2017

Cited by 5 publications

References 16 publications

Selection of Neurosurgical Applicants in the High-Income Developing Country Lacking Local Residency Program: A Cross-Sectional Study

Selection of Neurosurgical Applicants in the High-Income Developing Country Lacking Local Residency Program: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Analyzing international medical graduate research productivity for application to US neurosurgery residency and beyond: A survey of applicants, program directors, and institutional experience

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