Objective: To describe the initiatives set forth by UTSW to promote neurological surgery student recruitment, productivity, and retention. These initiatives include but are not limited to AANS, monthly lecture series’, shadowing, increased networking with faculty and more.
Methods: A literature search of publications by the UTSW neurological surgery department from the last 10 years was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Data on the total number of publications, number of medical students as authors, number of publications with a medical student as first author, and demographic characteristics of first authors were collected and split by year for review. Additionally, publication information was collected. Finally, information on initiatives set forth by the neurosurgery department, along with student-led organizations and student involvement in these initiatives was collected.
Results: Following review, 193 publications were included in the analysis. Student and faculty initiatives proved to be essential to our growth. In 2014, the year following the inception of the UTSW chapter of AANS, total publications tripled from 3 to 9, and publication output has continued this upward trend each year. Productivity continued to increase with 2021 proving to be the most productive year for the department, with a total of 68 publications. Additionally, 2021 had the most medical students as first authors, 18 of 68 publications, and the most publications with medical students as authors, 33 of 68. Regarding underrepresented populations in medicine, both 2021 and 2020 proved to be the most productive year for African Americans in the department with 7 first author publications in both years, and 2021 proved to be the most productive year for females in the department with 12 first authorships.
Conclusion : Through faculty, and student led directives, student involvement and productivity can be increased. This facilitates competitiveness in applicants, promoting MATCH rates to more numerous, and competitive programs.
