Impact of the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation vascular course on academic and career outcomes

Background: Over the past decade, the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) has offered an endovascular and vascular techniques course for senior residents to familiarize themselves with the basics of endovascular and cerebrovascular surgery. This study evaluates the impact of this course on the careers of previous attendees. Methods: A list of attendees between 2012 and 2022 from the NREF Endovascular and Vascular Techniques course was obtained, and data regarding each attendee, including demographics, career progression, and academic output, were determined. Outcomes included matriculation into endo-/cerebrovascular careers, clinical practice setting, and academic productivity measured through publication count and h-index. Results: From 2012 to 2022, 207 US neurosurgery residents attended the NREF Endovascular and Vascular Techniques course. Overall, 184 have graduated from residency, with 133 (72.3%) of these pursuing careers in vascular neurosurgery. Of the 172 currently practicing, 94 (54.7%) work in academic neurosurgery. The mean ± standard deviation [SD] number of publications after the course and total h-index were 22 ± 36 and 9 ± 8, respectively. The mean ± SD number of citations and cerebrovascular publications after the course were 348 ± 730 and 30 ± 53, respectively. Almost half of all papers published by previous attendees after the course (47.8%) were cerebrovascular publications. Conclusion: Young neurosurgeons who attended the NREF Endovascular and Vascular Techniques have found significant success pursuing vascular neurosurgery across the United States, both clinically and academically. The course has afforded these attendees unique insights and meaningful connections into the field that have proved invaluable in their careers.