Child Neurology Recruitment and Training: views of residents and child neurologists from the 2015 AAP/CNS workforce survey

• Published in: Pediatric neurology 2017-01, Vol.66, p.89-95
• Main Authors: Gilbert, Donald L., MD MS, Horn, Paul S., PhD, Kang, Peter B., MD, Mintz, Mark, MD, Joshi, Sucheta M., MBBS, Ruch-Ross, Holly, ScD, Bale, James F., MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Certification; child neurology residency; Curriculum; Female; graduate medical education; Humans; Internet; Internship and Residency; Logistic Models; Male; medical school; Neurologists - education; Neurologists - organization & administration; Neurology; Pediatricians - education; Pediatricians - organization & administration; Pediatrics; Personnel Selection; Societies, Medical; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States; workforce survey
• ISSN: 0887-8994; 1873-5150
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2016.08.018

Abstract Objective To assess and compare resident and practicing child neurologists’ attitudes regarding recruitment and residency training in child neurology. Methods A joint taskforce of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Child Neurology Society (CNS) conducted an electronic survey of child neurology residents (n=305), practicing child neurologists (n=1290), and neurodevelopmental disabilities specialists (n=30) in 2015. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Response rates were 32% for residents (n=97; 36% male; 65% Caucasian) and 40% for practitioners (n=523; 63% male; 80% Caucasian; 30% lifetime certification). Regarding recruitment, 70% (n=372) attributed difficulties recruiting medical students to insufficient early exposure. Although 68% (n=364) reported that their medical school required a neurology clerkship, just 28% (n=152) reported a child neurology component. Regarding residency curriculum, respondents supported increased training emphasis for genetics, neurodevelopmental disabilities, and multiple other subspecialty areas. Major changes in board certification requirements were supported, with 73% (n=363) favoring reduced adult neurology training (strongest predictors: fewer years since medical school p = 0.003; and, among practicing child neurologists, working more half day clinics per week p = 0.005). Further, 58% (n=289), favored an option to reduce total training to four years, with one year of general pediatrics. 82% (n=448) would definitely or probably choose child neurology again. Conclusions These findings provide support for recruitment efforts emphasizing early exposure of medical students to child neurology. Increased subspecialty exposure and an option for major changes in board certification requirements are favored by significant numbers of respondents.