title: The workload of neurosurgeons: implications of the 1987 practice survey in the USA.
abstract: The number of neurosurgeons per million population is much lower in Europe than in the USA, where the point prevalence of neurosurgeons doubled between 1963-87. Results of a 1987 survey of USA neurosurgical practice show that surgery filled 25% of total time in professional activity. Of all cases treated, 64% were spinal disorders and 24% were intracranial disorders. Use of a relative value scale for neurosurgical procedures makes possible a rough and ready estimate of a neurosurgeon's weekly aggregate workload. However, the concept of a mean surgical workload must be examined within the context of the known variation of case mix and volume of surgical services in different practices.
authors.affiliation: World Federation of Neurology Research Group on Neurological Education, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menken
mesh_terms: D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D009493:Neurosurgery; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015895:Relative Value Scales; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce