Impact of Stroke Call on the Stroke Neurology Workforce in the United States: Possible Challenges and Opportunities

AAN Vascular Neurology Stroke Practice Resources Workgroup

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The Stroke & Vascular Neurology Section of the American Academy of Neurology was charged to identify challenges to the recruitment and retention of stroke neurologists and to make recommendations to address any identified problems. The Section initiated this effort by determining the impact of stroke on-call requirements as a barrier to the recruitment and retention of vascular neurologists. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey of a sample of US Neurologists providing acute stroke care. Results: Of the 900 neurologists who were sent surveys, 313 (35%) responded. Of respondents from institutions providing stroke coverage, 71% indicated that general neurologists and 45% indicated that vascular neurologists provided that service. Of those taking stroke call, 36% agreed with the statement, “I spent too much time on stroke call,” a perception that was less common among those who took less than 12-hour shifts (P <.0001); 21% who participated in stroke call were dissatisfied with their current job. Forty-six percent indicated that their stroke call duties contributed to their personal feeling of “burnout.” Conclusions: Although the reasons are likely multifactorial, our survey of neurologists providing stroke care suggests that over-burdensome on-call responsibilities may be contributing to the vascular neurology workforce burnout and could be affecting recruitment and retention of vascular neurologists. Strategies to reduce the lifestyle impact of stroke call may help address this problem.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2019-2025
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases
Volume27
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2018

Keywords

  • Stroke
  • burnout
  • lifestyle
  • stroke call
  • vascular neurologist

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Rehabilitation
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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