Charting Neurosurgery Summer Scholarship Outcomes: A Multi-institutional Survey Study

Introduction: Diversity, equity, and inclusion within neurosurgery are essential for culturally competent care. While mentorship and academic programs promote diversity, few studies assess their impact on recruiting and retaining medical students in neurosurgery. This study aims to analyze trends in applicants to neurosurgery summer scholarship programs and their experiences.

Methods: Two surveys, following AAPOR guidelines, were distributed to U.S. neurosurgical programs offering summer research scholarships and their past participants. The surveys collected demographic data, program characteristics, and academic outcomes. Responses were binary or on 5-point Likert scales, with incomplete surveys censored and analyzed using StataCorp 16.1.

Results: Of 15 summer programs, 5 responses show programs were founded between 2020-2024, with a median of 3 alumni. Programs use email and social media for recruitment, offer 10-week experiences, and provide stipends between $8,000-$10,000. Most programs have 1 position and 6 applicants per cycle, prioritizing personal essays, LOR, and holistic assessments. Curricula include mentorship, OR/clinic shadowing, grand rounds, and research opportunities.

Of 45 alumni, 15 were accepted during MS0-2. Alumni were predominantly female (80%), from lower to middle-class backgrounds, and nonwhite or Asian (60%). All participants received mentorship, shadowed in the OR, participated in research, and attended networking events. After program participation, 90% reported increased interest in neurosurgery and tripled research productivity, though only 30% intended to pursue neurosurgery exclusively. Most alumni continued research (80%) and mentorship (60%). Overall, free text responses showed the top 3 experiences were conducting personally guided research projects with residents or faculty, spending time with residents hearing unfiltered personal neurosurgical experiences, and shadowing interesting OR cases.

Conclusion : Early neurosurgery outreach increases student interest, research productivity, and diverse applicant participation. Programs offering OR exposure, resident mentorship, and guided research enhance academic outcomes. Further studies are needed to assess these elements as strategies to improve equity within the neurosurgical workforce.