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Hutton D, Ashraf M, Sescu D, Ismahel H, Hepburn K, Lumsden E, Wright P, Chai C, Helley M, McSorley N, Mohamed B, Abdulrahman M, Page B, Porter R, Bodkin P, Okasha M. Dundee Annual Neurosurgery Skills Event (DANSE)-Improving the Availability and Affordability of Neurosurgical Skills Workshops for Medical Students. Asian J Neurosurg 2024; 19:63-72. [PMID: 38751396 PMCID: PMC11093633 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1785481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neurosurgery can be a daunting career choice for medical students, with preparation for trainee application often being inaccessible and expensive. This article describes a student-led neurosurgical skills event supported by local neurosurgery faculty members. Such event was designed to offer a means to bridge this gap by providing an opportunity to practice neurosurgical techniques in simulation, and learn about what a career in neurosurgery involves. Methods Pre- and postskills laboratory surveys were used to ascertain the baseline confidence and knowledge of common neurosurgical techniques, as well as to what both the application to neurosurgery and the typical workload of a neurosurgeon involves. The conference offered six neurosurgical workshops as well as three lectures to provide practical and theoretical learning opportunities. The session included introduction to the candidates and faculty, identification of learning objectives, and career discussion. Postcourse feedback also was also used to assess learning outcomes. Results Eighteen students attended the event. Postskills event, students were significantly more likely to understand the principles behind all of the relevant neurosurgical skills included on the day. Additionally, students were more likely to understand what a career in neurosurgery involves, and how to approach applying for a training number. Respondents enjoyed the workshops, valued hands-on experience and interactions with consultants, found it affordable, and would recommend to their peers. Conclusions For medical students interested in a career in neurosurgery, opportunities to learn relevant techniques and skills are often expensive and difficult to come across. Here, we highlight affordable methods of simulation to result in significant student satisfaction. Additionally, providing ample opportunity to practice different neurosurgical techniques under almost 1:1 level tutoring enables significant increases in students' confidence and understanding of different neurosurgical concepts. We greatly encourage other medical student groups to develop their own hands-on simulation events to attract medical students to a surgical field often considered daunting and inaccessible, and address gaps in the medical school curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Hutton
- The Royal Victoria Hospital, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Ashraf
- Glasgow Neuro Society, Wolfson School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Sescu
- School of Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Hassan Ismahel
- Glasgow Neuro Society, Wolfson School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Hepburn
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Lumsden
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Poppy Wright
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Carmen Chai
- School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Helley
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan McSorley
- Glasgow Neuro Society, Wolfson School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Belal Mohamed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammed Abdulrahman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Beverley Page
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Roslyn Porter
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Bodkin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Mohamed Okasha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Joshi S, Khan M, Jelen MB, Pandit AS. Current Attitudes Toward Neuroanatomy: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Survey of Neurosurgeons from the United Kingdom and Worldwide. World Neurosurg 2022; 166:e607-e623. [PMID: 35868505 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.07.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE How attitudes toward neuroanatomy and preferences of studying resources vary among neurosurgeons is unknown. The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on anatomy learning habits is also yet to be elucidated. In this study, we explore these objectives, to guide the development of future neurosurgeon-tailored anatomy education and resources. METHODS This was a 2-stage, cross-sectional study design comprising a local pilot survey followed by a structured 17-item questionnaire, distributed to both neurosurgical trainees and consultants. Grade and nationality differences in sentiment agreement were statistically compared. RESULTS A total of 365 responses were received from 32 countries (overall response rate, 23.2%). Neuroanatomy is highly regarded among most neurosurgeons and takes a central role in their professional identity. Yet, 69% of neurosurgeons wanted to spend more time learning. Common study prompts included perceived operative complexity, lack of familiarity and teaching. Financial barriers and motivation were obstacles limiting neuroanatomy learning, more so among trainee neurosurgeons, with personal commitment barriers significantly varying with geographic location. Surgical relevance, accessibility, and image quality were important factors when selecting anatomy resources, with cost and up-to-datedness being important for juniors. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a shift toward virtual resources, particularly affecting United Kingdom-based trainees. CONCLUSIONS Although neuroanatomy is well regarded, barriers exist that impede further neuroanatomy learning. Neurosurgical training programs should tailor anatomy education according to the seniority and background of their residents. Furthermore, resources that are surgically relevant and accessible and are of high image quality are more likely to be better used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Joshi
- University College London Medical School, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mehdi Khan
- University College London Medical School, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria B Jelen
- Department of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anand S Pandit
- Victor Horsley Department of Neurosurgery, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom.
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