Healthcare Research All-Stars
Key Findings
Utilizing national physician data, Medicare fee-for-service data, and PubMed data, the Healthcare Research All-Stars initiative identified the top 5% of physician researchers across a wide range of surgical specialties including cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, otolaryngology (ENT), gastroenterology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, urology, surgical oncology, and general surgery. More than 4,500 physicians and 350 hospitals were honored out of a pool of more than 90,000 physicians and 4,000 hospitals.
An analysis of 1.8 million procedures shows that top researchers consistently achieve better patient outcomes compared to their peers. This analysis is based on a sophisticated model that controls for patient demographics, comorbidity score, surgeon characteristics, hospital characteristics, and care settings.
- Reduced Complication Rates:Patients under the care of All-Star researchers experienced a 5% reduction in the rate of post-discharge complications.
- Lower Mortality Rates:There was a 5% reduction in the rate of mortality within 30 days post-discharge among patients treated by these top researchers.
Insights on Authorship, Volume, and Quality
Studies conducted by top surgeon researchers collectively showcase a remarkable output, with an average publication rate of 11 articles per year. This contrasts sharply with the broader group of surgeons, whose average stands at just 0.5 articles annually. The quality of these publications is notable, with the work of top surgeon researchers appearing in medical journals that have an average impact factor of 4.7, in comparison to 2.9 for journals featuring the work of the broader group of surgeons. A significant portion of top surgeon researchers, 47.1% on average, assume leadership roles in their research, serving as the leading or senior authors. This collective effort and leadership in research underlines their pivotal role in driving medical innovations and enhancing patient care practices.
Broadening Academic Collaboration
Top-tier surgeons also exhibit broader academic collaboration, working with a more diverse group of institutions, which may contribute to the richness of their research and its applicability across different clinical settings.
Why This Matters
These insights underscore the significant role of research in driving advancements in healthcare. The initiative not only shines a spotlight on the individual achievements of surgeons but also emphasizes the importance of supporting healthcare research. Through dedicated research, these physicians are setting new standards for patient care, affirming that progress in medical research directly translates into better patient outcomes.
