Surgeon-Scientists in the US: Increasing in Number, Grant Costs, and Gender Diversity

The study reveals that the number of surgeon-scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US has increased, with a higher proportion engaged in basic science research rather than clinical research. In fiscal year 2022, 1,324 surgeon-scientists were awarded $1.3 billion in grants, and the percentage of female surgeon principal investigators (PIs) rose to 31.3%. The findings also highlight the growing diversity among surgeon PIs, with Asian and white surgeons being the most represented. The study demonstrates the persistent growth and research productivity of surgeon-scientists despite the challenges they face.