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

Publication date: Available online 3 October 2016
Source:Pediatric Neurology
Author(s): Donald L. Gilbert, Paul S. Horn, Peter B. Kang, Mark Mintz, Sucheta M. Joshi, Holly Ruch-Ross, James F. Bale
ObjectiveTo assess and compare resident and practicing child neurologists' attitudes regarding recruitment and residency training in child neurology.MethodsA 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.ResultsResponse 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.ConclusionsThese 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.



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