H-index is a sensitive indicator of academic activity in highly productive anaesthesiologists: results of a bibliometric analysis

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Abstract
Background H-index distinguishes differences in scholarly output across faculty ranks in anaesthesiologists, but whether h-index also identifies differences in other aspects of productivity is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that h-index is an indicator of not only publication record, but also grant funding and mentoring in highly productive US academic anaesthesiologists. Methods We conducted an internet analysis of the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research Academy of Research Mentors in Anesthesiology (n = 43). Publications, citations, citations per publication, and h-index for each investigator were obtained using the Scopus®. Total grants, active grants, years of funding, and duration of longest funded grant were recorded using the US National Institutes of Health Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools®. Members were surveyed to identify the number of their career trainees and those who obtained independent funding. Results The median [IRQ (Interquartile range)] h-index of members was 23 [17–32 (8–50)]. Members published 136 [100–225 (39–461)] papers with 3573 [1832–5090 (150–11,601)] citations and 21 [15–32 (4–59)] citations per publication. Members received four [3–7 (0–10)] grants and were funded for 29 [17–45 (0–115)] grant-years. Survey respondents (79%) mentored 40 [26–69 (15–191)] trainees, three [2–6 (0–20)] of which subsequently received funding. Members with h-indices greater than the median had more publications, citations, citations per publication, grants, and years of funding compared with their counterparts. H-index was associated with total citations, active grants, and the number of trainees. Conclusions In addition to publication record, h-index sensitively indicates grant funding and mentoring in highly productive US academic anaesthesiologists.

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