Survey of h-index for neurosurgeons in Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To calculate the h-index for neurosurgeons in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and to assess its association with a number of features relating to neurosurgical practice in KSA.


METHODS
The h-index for 84 neurosurgeons that worked in KSA during 1990-2013 was evaluated using Google Scholar during the period September to October 2014. The correlation between the h-index and a number of neurosurgeon and neurosurgical center characteristics was determined and examined statistically.


RESULTS
The median h-index was 2.5 (range 0-33) and the mean was 5.04. The h-index was significantly higher for neurosurgeons who obtained their certification before 2001 and those working at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, KSA. The h-index was also higher, but without reaching significance, for non-Saudi neurosurgeons, those with international certification and those working at the university hospitals. Additionally, the h-index was significantly lower for neurosurgeons working in the Ministry of Health hospitals.


CONCLUSIONS
Application of the h-index to KSA neurosurgeons revealed a significant correlation with the duration after certification and with certain centers. Evaluation of the h-index should be included in the consideration for academic positions in KSA. Saudi neurosurgeons should be encouraged to publish in journals with high impact factor.
Neurosurgery Section, Department of Surgery, King Khalid National Guard Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail: jamjoomab@gmail.com.
Abdulhakim B
AB
Jamjoom
D015706:Bibliometrics; D006801:Humans; D000069471:Neurosurgeons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012529:Saudi Arabia