The Absence of International Standardized Quality Criteria in Doctorate Programs in Surgery : A Survey Study
Llorach-Perucho, Núria (Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari. Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT))
Pera Román, Manuel (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Cirurgia)
Espin-Basany, Eloy (Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron)
Julián Ibáñez, Joan Francesc (Institut Germans Trias i Pujol. Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol)
Morote Robles, Juan (Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron)
Amat-Lefort, Natalia (Leiden University)
Serra-Gómez, Álvaro (Leiden University)
Grande, L. (Hospital del Mar (Barcelona, Catalunya))
Navarro Soto, Salvador (Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari. Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT))
Serra-Aracil, Xavier (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Cirurgia)

Date:	2025
Abstract:	A doctorate degree in surgery is awarded by universities in recognition of high-standard academic research. This study explores the global heterogeneity of PhD programs in surgery and evaluates them using a standardized rating scale. A cross-sectional survey was distributed electronically to surgical doctoral programs worldwide. A 25-point rating scale was developed to assess program quality across domains such as dissertation requirements, number and type of publications, journal quartiles, and authorship position. Programs achieving ≥15 points were classified as "excellence-PhD" (e-PhD). Scores were compared across world regions and by university ranking (Shanghai Ranking). A total of 949 PhD programs from the 193 United Nations member countries were contacted. Completed questionnaires were returned by 187 departments (response rate 19. 7%) from 52 countries. Most departments, 138 out of 187 (73. 9%) lacked clear requirements for dissertations based on a single research project, while more explicit criteria existed for thesis by publications: originality 77 out of 187 (41. 2%), journal metrics 126 out of 187 (67. 9%), and candidate authorship. Program scores showed wide heterogeneity, with higher scores more frequently associated with universities ranked higher in the Shanghai classification. Regional differences were also noted in funding opportunities and evaluation processes. Global PhD programs in surgery demonstrate substantial variability in structure and quality, as measured by a newly developed rating scale. While the scale shows promise in identifying high-quality (e-PhD) programs, its practical application may be limited by response bias and differing academic norms. Nonetheless, these findings offer a framework for benchmarking and improving doctoral training in surgical research globally.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	PhD quality ; Doctorate program ; Surgery ; Excellence-PhD (e-PhD) ; Global variability
Published in:	Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, Vol. 12 (November 2025) , art. 23821205251389679, ISSN 2382-1205

DOI: 10.1177/23821205251389679
PMID: 41262923

9 p, 1000.0 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Parc Taulí Research and Innovation Institute (I3PT
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles