Education and Training in Global Neurosurgery: The Quest for Diversity and Equitable Collaborations

Authors

Nqobile S. Thango, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Guilherme Ceccato, Department of Neurosurgery, Mackenzie Evangelical University Hospital, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Ronnie E. Baticulon, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosciences, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.
Roxanna Garcia, Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Angelos Kolias, Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Nathan A. Shlobin, Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Kemel A. Ghotme, Translational Neuroscience Research Lab, School of Medicine, Universidad de La Sabana, Chia, Colombia.
Mahmood M. Qureshi, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Gail Rosseau, Department of Neurosurgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Luis A. Borba, Department of Neurosurgery, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Education and training are essential components of global neurosurgery because they provide a sustainable solution to address the workforce deficits in the neurosurgical burden of disease. Neurosurgery training programs and opportunities exist in most areas of the world, but some countries still lack formal mechanisms to train future generations. In this special article, we review the neurosurgical workforce deficit, characterize factors influencing the absence or inadequacy of neurosurgical training, and identify strategies that could facilitate global efforts in building a stronger workforce. We summarize the key neurosurgical training models worldwide and the factors influencing the standardization of neurosurgical education by region. In addition, we evaluate the "brain drain" issue in the larger context of the healthcare workforce and propose solutions to mitigate this phenomenon in neurosurgical practice. Future generations of neurosurgical trainees depend on our efforts to intensify and expand education and training in this new virtual era. As we look to the future, we must prioritize education to strengthen the future neurosurgeons who will lead and shape the frontiers of our field.

Publication Date

8-26-2024

Publication Title

Neurosurgery

E-ISSN

1524-4040

PubMed ID

39185887

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1227/neu.0000000000003123

Recommended Citation

Thango, Nqobile S.; Ceccato, Guilherme; Baticulon, Ronnie E.; Garcia, Roxanna; Kolias, Angelos; Shlobin, Nathan A.; Ghotme, Kemel A.; Qureshi, Mahmood M.; Rosseau, Gail; and Borba, Luis A., "Education and Training in Global Neurosurgery: The Quest for Diversity and Equitable Collaborations" (2024). Neurosurgery. 2040.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/2040