Neurosurg Focus
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The evolution of the neurosurgical specialty in lower-middle-income countries is uniformly a narrative of continuous struggle for recognition and resource allocation. Therefore, it is not surprising that neurosurgical education and residency training in these countries is relatively nascent. Dr. Harvey Cushing in 1901 declared that he would specialize in neurosurgery and gave his greatest contribution to the advancement of neurosurgical education by laying the foundations of a structured residency training program. Similar efforts in lower-middle-income countries have been impeded by economic instability and the lack of well-established medical education paradigms. The authors sought to evaluate the residency programs in these nations by conducting a survey among the biggest stakeholders in these educational programs: the neurosurgical residents. ⋯ It is prudent that concerned authorities in LMICs recognize and address the deficiencies perceived by neurosurgery residents in their training programs. A determined effort in this direction would be endorsed and assisted by a host of international neurosurgical societies when it is felt that domestic resources may not be adequate. Quality control and close scrutiny of training programs should ensure that the interests of neurosurgical trainees are best served.
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Africa still significantly lags in the development of neurosurgery. Egypt, located in North Africa, is well-developed in this specialty, with the largest number of neurosurgeons among all African countries. This article provides insight into neurosurgical training in Egypt, the challenges African neurosurgeons are facing, and the requirements needed to enhance neurosurgical education and build up the required neurosurgical capacity in Africa. ⋯ Proper collaboration among the different regions within the African continent regarding neurosurgical education will enhance African neurosurgical capacity and make neurosurgery an independent specialty. The definite functional polarity among different regions, regarding both the number of qualified neurosurgeons and the neurosurgical capacity, is an important factor that could help in the development of neurosurgery in this continent.
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In China, orthopedics and neurosurgery are among the most desired majors for medical students. However, little is known about the working and living status of specialists in these two fields. This study was aimed at evaluating job satisfaction, engagement, and burnout in the population of Chinese orthopedist and neurosurgeon trainees. ⋯ Chinese orthopedic surgical and neurosurgical trainees are under significant stress. Orthopedic surgeons showed relatively optimistic data in their assessments of job satisfaction, engagement, and burnout. This study may provide valuable information for orthopedic and neurosurgical candidates considering either specialty as a career.
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The recognition that neurosurgeons harbor great potential to advocate for the care of individuals with neural tube defects (NTDs) globally has sounded as a clear call to action; however, neurosurgical care and training in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) present unique challenges that must be considered. The objective of this study was to systematically review publications that describe the challenges and benefits of participating in neurosurgery-related training programs in LMICs in the service of individuals with NTDs. ⋯ The challenges and benefits of international neurosurgical training programs need to be considered to effectively promote the development of neurosurgical care for individuals with NTDs in LMICs. In this global health paradigm, future work needs to investigate further the in-country professionals' perspective, as well as the related outcomes.
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Despite general enthusiasm for international collaboration within the organized neurosurgical community, establishing international partnerships remains challenging. The current study analyzes the initial experience of the InterSurgeon website in partnering surgeons from across the world to increase surgical collaboration. ⋯ Within its first year of launch, the InterSurgeon membership has grown significantly. The partnerships that have already been formed involve not only international visits between HICs and low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), but also telecollaboration and inter-LMIC connections that allow for greater exchange of knowledge and expertise. As membership and site features grow to include other surgical and anesthesia specialties, membership growth and utilization is expected to increase rapidly over time according to social network dynamics.