The Use of the H-index and Research Interest Score as Indices for Rank and Promotion in Academic Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery in the United States.

Abstract

Background: The h-index helps quantify an individual's academic contributions and is widely used for academic promotion. A new bibliometric, called the Research Interest (RI) score, is now also being used to measure academic productivity.

Purpose: To (1) determine whether the h-index and the RI score are associated with academic rank and other common metrics considered in academic promotion for sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons in the United States; (2) conduct a secondary analysis to find any correlations between patient satisfaction and h-index, RI score, or academic rank.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: A list of 183 orthopaedic surgery residency programs was generated using the American Medical Association's Fellowship and Residency Interactive Database Access System. Academic sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons were identified through institutional and personal websites/profiles. The Scopus database was queried to determine the h-index for each surgeon. RI scores were identified through the ResearchGate website. Patients' satisfaction scores were obtained with Vitals and HealthGrade.

Results: In total, 835 academic sports medicine orthopaedic surgeons were identified in the United States. H-indices increased with higher academic rank: 6.5 for instructors/other, 6.8 for assistant professors, 14.4 for associate professors, and 29.9 for professors. RI scores also increased with higher academic rank: 363, 503.3, 850.1, and 2893.6, respectively. However, there was no correlation between the h-index and the RI score (r < .001). The mean h-indices for each region of the country (West, Midwest, South, and Northeast) were found to be 16.27, 15.26, 11.49, and 15.74, respectively. South versus West and South versus Northeast had significant differences. No correlation was found between patients' satisfaction scores and h-index, RI score, and academic rank.

Conclusion: The h-index is a valid measure of academic productivity and rank among academic sports medicine surgeons in the United States. Some regional differences exist in the h-index score. Both the h-index and the RI score increased with higher academic rank, but they were not correlated. No correlation was found between patient satisfaction scores and academic productivity indices. The RI score has potential bibliometric use, but further research is warranted on its validity as a productivity measure before its inclusion for academic promotion.