Advancement in Academic Vascular Surgery - Quantity or Quality?
Thomas W Cheng, Alik Farber, Douglas W Jones, David Flynn, Denis Rybin, Jeffrey A Kalish, Jeffrey J Siracuse
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Background: Academic advancement is based on several factors with publications deemed to be an area of emphasis. Our objective was to investigate what factors influenced academic promotion.
Methods: Academic vascular surgeons at ACGME vascular training programs or at a US allopathic medical school were included. Gender, education, region, board certification, affiliation, number of publications, number as first/last author, and h-index were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed to predict academic appointments.
Results: Of 642 vascular surgeons who met criteria, 46.3%, 23.4%, and 30.4% were assistant professors, associate professors, and professors, respectively. The mean number of publications was 13.7±15 for assistant professor, 33.9±29 for associate professor, and 86.8±64 for professor (P<.001). The mean h-index was 5.9±5.4 for assistant professor, 12±7.7 for associate professor, and 24.9±12.6 for professor (P<.001). In multivariate analysis, independent predictors for appointment as associate professor were vascular surgery board certification (OR:6.08, 95%CI:1.15-32.2, P=.034), public institution affiliation (OR:1.99, 95%CI:1.18-3.37, P=.01), years since medical school graduation (OR:1.13, 95%CI:1.09-1.18, P<.001), and number of publications (OR:1.05, 95%CI:1.03-1.06, P<.001). Independent predictors for appointment as professor were Central region (OR:2.73, 95% CI:1.09-6.84; P=.033), years since medical school graduation (OR:1.18, 95%CI:1.12-1.24, P<.001), and number of first/last author publications (OR:1.05, 95%CI:1.02-1.09; P=.003). Appointment as division chief was independently predicted by h-index (OR:1.04, 95%CI:1.01-1.08; P=.012).
Conclusions: A large variability exists across institutions regarding publications and academic ranking in vascular surgery. This provides objective data for promotional guidance in academic vascular surgery with publications particularly important for academic appointment and h-index for division chief.
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