Survey of United States neurosurgical residency program directors.
OBJECTIVE
The field of neurosurgery in the United States faces many challenges. Neurosurgical program directors in the United States represent a logical source for inquiries about manpower issues, the training process, and Residency Review Committee (RRC) oversight.


METHODS
Ninety-one active residency program directors were sent an anonymous 31-question survey. The respondents were given the option of adding additional comments. The questions were designed to address issues related to manpower, the training process, and RRC governance. Sixty-one responses were returned before an email reminder and 11 after the reminder (a total response rate of 79%). The data were entered into a database, and a descriptive analysis, with frequency distribution, was performed.


RESULTS
The purpose of this review was to gain a preliminary understanding of the perceptions of program directors regarding the neurosurgical training process, the RRC, the oversight process, and projected manpower needs. A 79% response rate is high for a mail survey and likely reflects heightened concern and interest in such issues. The survey responses indicate general satisfaction with the role and governance of the RRC, significantly divergent perceptions of resident output and available positions, and serious concerns regarding the current training process.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey suggests that a broader discussion of resident training issues would be valuable, perhaps using validated survey instruments.
Lunsford
L Dade
LD
Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Presbyterian University Hospital, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Kassam
Amin
A
Chang
Yue-Fang
YF
D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D008486:Physician Executives; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce