Views on Careers in Clinical Neurosciences Among Neurosurgeons and Neurologists in China

Factors Affecting Turkish Medical Students' Pursuit of a Career in Neurosurgery: A Single Center Survey Study

BACKGROUND

Statistics show that over the past 2 decades, even in high-income countries, fewer and fewer students have listed neurosurgery as their top career option. Literature on medical students' pursuit of neurosurgical careers in middle- and low-income countries are scarce. The aim of this research, conducted in Turkey with a middle-income economy, was to contribute insights relevant to medical education and neurosurgery across the world.

METHODS

A survey was conducted with a target sample of fourth-year (167 students), fifth-year (169 students), and sixth-year (140 students) medical students (476 in total) from the Medical School at Istanbul Medeniyet University in Turkey. The response rates of the fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year students were 62% (104/167), 53% (90/169), and 50% (70/140), respectively (in total, 266, including 147 female and 119 male).

RESULTS

In terms of the genuine intention, only 2.5% of men and 2.7% of women were committed to specializing in neurosurgery. This study further revealed that possible reasons for these students' low motivation to specialize in neurosurgery were their beliefs that in neurosurgery, the physical and psychological demands were high, and the night shifts were intense, meaning they would not have a social life or spare time for their hobbies; that morbidity/mortality were high; and that financial incentives were insufficient, especially in public institutions.

CONCLUSION

Turkish medical students did not rank neurosurgery at the top of their career choices. Possible reasons for this are socioeconomic factors and the inadequate introduction of neurosurgery to medical students.

Perceptions of clinical neurosciences among trainees in Wuhan, China

Aim: Understand attitudes of Chinese medical students toward clinical neuroscience at a time of medical education reform. Methods: A survey assessed Chinese medical students’ self-perceived knowledge of neurology and comfort in diagnosing/managing neurological disorders. An assessment of students’ preferred methods for learning neurology was also conducted. Results: Chinese students reported knowledge of neurology lower than most but not all other specialties. This self-reported knowledge increased between progressive years of training. However, comfort with the clinical care of neurologic patients did not improve. Bedside teaching, small group sessions and textbooks were deemed the most favored methods for learning. Discussion: An understanding of attitudes toward neurology among medical students in China can play an important step in curriculum development and reform in the neurosciences.