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Start date: 2024Discipline: search.filters.discipline.Neurology

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Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
  • Item type:Publication,
    Gender inequity in leadership positions in spinal societies worldwide Open PDF 
    (Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2026-05-14)
    Rawall, Saurabh
    ;
    Taylor, Sean
    ;
    Peterson, Asa
    ;
    Shrother, Ellyn
    ;
    Rajaram, Sakthivel
    PURPOSE: Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery rank as the worst with regards to the percentage of female residents. This trend carries on in spinal subspeciality training. The gap in gender equity increases significantly in academic leadership positions, including department chairs and full-time faculty, as well as speakers and faculty at conferences. The purpose of our study was to analyze the percentage of female representation in the leadership of spinal societies globally. METHODS: We evaluated the current leadership teams of national and international spine societies and recorded the percentage of females. RESULTS: We studied gender data of 73 spinal societies worldwide. 36 out of these had no female representation. Overall, 148 out of 1977 (7.5%) leadership positions were occupied by females. European Spine societies had the best gender ratio (16.9%), followed by North America (7.2%). Asia Pacific region had the worst gender ratio (1.2%). Middle East/Africa region and South America performed marginally better with 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Diversity improves innovation and quality of patient care. Female spinal surgeon leaders serve as role models and mentors. More needs to be done by our spinal societies to address gender disparity. Our article will provide data on an important aspect of gender disparity in spine surgery so that corrective measures can be initiated. There is an enormous gender disparity in leadership positions in spine societies worldwide. This phenomenon was observed across all regions, with Middle East/Africa and Asia Pacific regions recording the largest gender discrepancy.
  • Item type:Publication,
    The Status of Women in Academic Medicine, and Particularly in Neurosurgery, in a Developing Country, Türkiye Open PDF 
    (Elsevier BV, 2026-02)
    Aslan, Ayfer
    ;
    Bulduk, Erkut B.
    OBJECTIVE: Women have always faced inequality in academic medical careers in Türkiye as well as the rest of the world. However, to date, no definitive data has been published regarding the representation rate of women in academic medicine in Türkiye. The aim of this study is to reveal the status of women in faculty and leadership positions in academic medicine in Türkiye. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study conducted through websites of the Council of Higher Education (YOK) in Türkiye and medical faculties accredited by YOK as of October 2025. RESULTS: There were 132 medical schools in Türkiye. Women constituted 41% of all faculty members, 37% of professors, 42% of associate professors, 44% of assistant professors, 57% of lecturers, and 50% of residents in medical faculties in Türkiye. Among leadership positions, there were 26 (21%) women deans, and 98 (46%) women vice deans. Women comprised 35% of the faculty administrative committees and 35% of faculty boards. 25% of chairpersons of medical sciences divisions, and 35% of department heads were women. Regarding women in Neurosurgery, only 6% (n=25) of faculty and 5% (n=5) of department heads in neurosurgery were women. Among neurosurgery faculty, women comprised only 2% (n=3) of full professors, 6% (n=5) of associate professors, 9% (n=14) of assistant professors, and 27% (n=3) of lecturers. There were 45 (28%) female residents in neurosurgery. CONCLUSIONS: Gender equity has not yet been achieved in academic medicine in Türkiye. More effective policies promoting gender equality should be implemented by the authorities.
  • Item type:Publication,
    Spinal neurosurgery: Trends in female authorship contribution over 5-Year publication history Open PDF 
    (Elsevier BV, 2025-10)
    Campanaro, Giovanni
    ;
    Centini, Francesca Romana
    ;
    Sicca, Cecilia
    ;
    Davico, Jazmin
    ;
    Musella, Emanuele
    In the last few years, more efforts have been made to increase gender equity in medical specialties. Nevertheless, spinal neurosurgery continues to be one of the most male-dominated subspecialties in neurosurgery. This bibliometric analysis sought to explore the representation of female authors in major neurosurgical publications between September 2017 and August 2022, with a focus on first and last authorship roles across journals and countries. The paper analyzed 3171 unique publications within a framework of 93 high-impact neurosurgery-related journals. Results showed that female authors were 14,25 % of first authors and 7,88 % of last authors, and that only 2,11 % of articles had both female first and last authors. Country of affiliation and the journal of publication significantly influenced the author's gender representations, with Scandinavian states and certain journals, like Neurocritical Care, showing relatively high percentages of female authorship. Even if there has been minor progress over the recent past, disparities nowadays persist, potentially limiting diversity in perspectives and advancements in this field. These disparities underline the presence and the influence of systemic and cultural factors impeding gender equity, and underscoring the critical need for proactive measures to foster it, including mentorship programs, institutional support, and policies for balanced opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified inequities in this field, disproportionately impacting female academics due to increased domestic responsibilities without the corresponding implementation of support systems. The significant role of mentorship in improving female representation was also highlighted by this analysis: our data indicated higher collaboration rates between female first and last authors in the field of spinal neurosurgery. To address these challenges, efforts must be made starting during residency, with the aim of targeting systemic barriers and cultural biases. The implementation of inclusive policies, like on-site childcare programs, and fostering international collaboration, might help to reduce these disparities and to ensure that diversity drives innovation in spinal neurosurgery. Such an approach is essential for addressing inequity, which is not merely a matter of fairness but is central to advancing the field. This would ensure that only talent and hard work are what determine success in spinal neurosurgery, which is imperative for the progress of the speciality, enabling diverse perspectives to shape the future of patient care, research, and academic leadership.
  • Item type:Publication,
    Female authorship in global research: a bibliometric study of high- and low-income country collaborations Open PDF 
    (Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG), 2025-03-01)
    Totis, Francesca
    ;
    Colella, Filippo Emanuele
    ;
    Safa, Adrian
    ;
    Stefini, Roberto
    ;
    Cannizzaro, Delia
    OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine female authorship in research from collaborations between high-income countries (HICs) and lower-middle-income and low-income countries (LMICs/LICs) across two time periods: 2018–2020 and 2021–2023. METHODS A bibliometric analysis of neurosurgical research articles from the Scopus database, published between 2018 and 2023, was performed to investigate collaboration trends between HICs and LMICs/LICs. Only neurosurgical publications were included, and female authors were identified based on names traditionally associated with female gender identity, verified through online searches and tools such as Genderize.io. Articles with more than 25 authors, commentaries, letters, and news items were excluded to ensure a focus on original research. The selected articles spanned various neurosurgical specialties and were restricted to English-language journals with an impact factor greater than 1. The country affiliations of first, corresponding, and last authors were categorized using the 2018 World Bank classification to understand collaboration patterns across income levels. RESULTS The analysis revealed a steady increase in neurosurgical publications from 2018 to 2023, with a notable rise in the second triennium (2021–2023). Authors from HICs consistently held the majority of first, corresponding, and last authorship positions. Concerning first authorship, authors with affiliations from HICs increased from 66% in the first triennium to 75% in the second. Similarly, corresponding authors from HICs increased from 75% to 82% over the same period. Male authors dominated all key authorship roles, with 127 male-led first authorships compared with 46 female-led first authorships in the second triennium. This male predominance persisted in corresponding and last author roles as well. CONCLUSIONS Global neurosurgical research is growing but significant gender disparities persist, especially in LMICs/LICs, with female researchers underrepresented in key authorship roles, requiring targeted efforts to address systemic barriers and promote gender equity in academic leadership.
  • Item type:Publication,
    Gender disparities among speakers at major spine conferences Open PDF 
    (Elsevier BV, 2025-10)
    Lee, Yunsoo
    ;
    Issa, Tariq Z.
    ;
    Lambrechts, Mark J.
    ;
    Carey, Preston
    ;
    Becsey, Alexander
    PURPOSE: To examine 10-year trends in gender representation in speaking roles at major spine conferences. BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Medical conferences play an important role in career opportunities. There is little analysis on gender representation of major spine conferences despite several studies demonstrating gender disparities within spine surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. SAMPLE: A total of 20,181 abstract speakers across 10 years of academic conferences for 6 spine societies. OUTCOME MEASURES: Percent of female abstract presenters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collated the annual meeting programs of six major spine conferences (North American Spine Society (NASS), Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST), Global Spine Congress (GSC), American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (AANS/CNS) Spine Summit, and the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS)) dating from 2013 to 2022. Departmental websites, society webpages, or personal social media were identified for images or the use of gendered pronouns in order to determine speaker gender for each speaker type. All categorical variables were compared using Pearson chi-square analysis. RESULTS: Women constituted 1,816 (9.0%) of all 20,181 identified conference speakers. Female representation was highest at NASS (N=680, 12.2%) but lowest at CSRS (6.6%) and GSC (7.1%). Spine Summit (7.4%), IMAST (9.92%), and GSC (9.87%) demonstrated the largest annual percent increases in female representation. Institutions in Middle East and Africa (1.4%), and Central and South America (1.8%) supported the lowest percent of female speakers. Women were significantly less likely to be speakers or moderators/course faculty than to be podium abstract presenters (p<.001). The percent of women as invited speakers (10.4% vs 5.5%, p=.001) and moderators (11.4% vs 3.7%, p<.001) increased significantly over the study period, with annual increases of 8.8% and 20.8%, respectively, from 2013 to 2022 (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: While academic spine societies have made significant progress in promoting gender representation, especially among invited speakers and session moderators, women continue to be underrepresented compared to the percent of women in orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery
  • Item type:Publication,
    The workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing of early- and mid-career health academics: a cross-sectional analysis Open PDF 
    (2024)
    Marck, Claudia H.
    ;
    Ayton, Darshini
    ;
    Steward, Trevor
    ;
    Koay, Hui-Fern
    ;
    Wiley, Joshua F.
    There are reports of poor working conditions for early and mid-career academics (EMCAs) in universities, however, empirical data using validated tools are scarce. We conducted an online, cross-sectional survey using validated tools to assess workplace satisfaction, exposure to workplace abuse, and mental health. Participants included employees of medical and health faculties of two of the largest Australian universities, surveyed between October 2020 and January 2021.Overall, 284 participants responded. Many reported job insecurity: half (50.7%) working on contracts with less than one remaining year. Workloads were considerable, with 89.5% of participants working overtime and 54.8% reporting burnout. Workplace abuse in the forms of bullying (46.6%), sexual harassment (25.3%), sexism (49.8%) and racism (22.5%) were commonly reported. Clinically significant symptoms of depression (28.0%), anxiety (21.7%) and suicidal ideation or self-harm (13.6%) were reported; with a higher prevalence among those working more overtime, and those exposed to workplace abuse. Priorities include providing a stable and safe workplace, increasing accountability and transparency in addressing workplace abuse, and supporting professional development.In summary, EMCAs in our study were commonly exposed to precarious employment conditions and workplace abuse. Our findings provide empirical evidence on where universities and funding bodies should direct resources and change organisational risk factors, to improve workplace culture.
  • Item type:Publication,
    A Qualitative Study of Facilitators, Barriers, and Gender Disparities in Academic Neurology Open PDF 
    (2024)
    Dy-Hollins, Marisela E.
    ;
    Hall, Deborah A.
    ;
    Cahill, Carolyn M.
    ;
    Meyer, Ana-Claire L.
    ;
    Peltier, Amanda C.
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To understand the challenges and facilitators of a successful academic neurology research career broadly and to identify gender-based disparities specifically. METHODS: In 2019, participants self-identifying as researchers, preregistered for the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting, ≥7 years out of residency, and authors of ≥1 AAN meeting abstract submission (2006-2009) were selected to participate in the qualitative study (purposeful sampling strategy). To increase diversity, 15 participants were invited by members involved in the AAN until interviews were complete. The AAN at the time of the study asked gender using sex-based terms. Participants were asked predetermined and open-ended questions. Themes were generated using a flexible coding methodology. RESULTS: Sixty neurologists (31 women, 29 men) participated in the focus groups and individual interviews. Six predetermined domains relevant to a successful neurology research career were explored: success definitions, facilitators, barriers, biases and harassment, mitigation strategies, and participant recommendations. Gender-based differences were noted during discussions focused on barriers and biases and harassment. Lack of women mentors, under-representation of women in senior faculty positions, and competing responsibilities when children are young were identified as barriers to women's success. Participants acknowledged that known gender disparities in compensation, academic promotion, and publications disproportionately affect women. Women shared more experiences of bias and harassment. Some men felt that gender-based biases were minimal to nonexistent. Participants shared their recommendations on ways to mitigate gender disparities and pursue a neurology research career. Leadership involvement locally and nationally in advocating and implementing change outside academic institutions was also mentioned as being valuable. DISCUSSION: Our findings may not be generalizable to academic neurologists outside the United States. Women academic neurology researchers experienced disparities across several domains affecting success: lower compensation, fewer women mentors, bias, and harassment. Women are less likely to be promoted, have less research success, and job satisfaction. Shared experiences of bias and harassment among women neurology researchers indicate continuing opportunity for education among departments and colleagues for preventive measures. These qualitative results indicate gender disparities among US-based neurology researchers and highlight the importance of the continued need to work toward equality and equity in disparate gender-related issues in the careers of neurology researchers.
  • Item type:Publication,
    Gender Inequality in Leadership Positions in Neurology and Neurosurgery Journals and Societies Open PDF 
    (2024)
    Apaydin, Aydin Sinan
    ;
    Emekli, Inci
    OBJECTIVE: Gender inequalities persist in several areas of medicine, despite the growing number of female doctors and medical students. In this study, we aimed to reveal the gender inequality in the top journals' editorial boards and national societies' leadership positions in the field of neurology and neurosurgery. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study that uses public information accessed through the internet via journals' and academic societies' public websites. The medical journals are selected and included according to their h5-index in the field of neurology and neurosurgery. We evaluated the gender composition of the editorial boards and academic societies' leadership positions. RESULTS: The female editorial board member ratio was 44.0% in the top 10 neurology journals. However, this ratio was significantly decreased to 29.7% in the other journals(P < 0.001). The top 10 neurosurgery journals had a female editorial board member ratio of 13.7%. This ratio was significantly decreased to 5.3% in the other 10 journals with lower h5-index(P < 0.001). A significantly lower number of female individuals are present in the editorial boards of the neurosurgery journals than in neurology(P < 0.001). The female president or delegate ratio was 19.3% in the World Federation of Neurology-affiliated countries, and it was 4% in the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies-affiliated countries. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, there is a significant gender inequality among editorial board members. The position of neurosurgical societies and journals is far different than the field of neurology. Furthermore, these findings should be evaluated as a continuum of the gender inequality in the professional societies' executive boards and delegates representing the national academical community.