Drivers of neurosurgeon selection among operative intracranial tumor patients.

Objective: Despite increased access to online information, little is known about what factors patients consider when selecting a neurosurgeon for intracranial tumor resection. This study aims to identify patient priorities in neurosurgeon selection.

Methods: Patients who underwent intracranial tumor resection between January 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024, at a single institution were surveyed. They ranked 13 factors on a 5-point Likert scale. Survey data were analyzed alongside demographic and clinical information using ordinal logistic regression.

Results: Fifty patients (mean age 54.15 ± 13.82; 54 % female; 70 % white; 70 % privately insured) completed the survey. Surgeon caseload and procedure-specific experience (mean score 4.64 ± 0.72) were rated as most important, followed by hospital ranking (4.48 ± 0.68), years of experience (4.38 ± 0.75), and surgeon interpersonal skills (4.2 ± 1.14). Least important were social media presence, age, and word of mouth. Subgroup analysis revealed that non-Caucasian patients valued word of mouth more (OR: 1.65), while patients undergoing repeat surgery valued it less (OR: 0.33). Older patients, non-Caucasians, ethnic minorities, and married individuals placed less importance on medical school prestige.

Conclusion: Neurosurgical patients prioritize surgeon experience, hospital reputation, and interpersonal qualities. These insights can inform provider transparency, resource allocation, and outreach to underserved groups.