Dataset Information

Access to training in neurosurgery (Part 1): Global perspectives and contributing factors of barriers to access

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Neurological disorders are one of the leading causes of death and disability adjusted life years (DALYs). Efforts have been made to increase the neurosurgical workforce in an attempt to address the global disease burden. Despite these efforts, there continues to be a shortage of neurosurgeons in both high-income countries (HICs) and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Research question

The aim of the study was to identify the barriers to neurosurgical training in LMICs and HICs.

Materials and methods

We administered an electronic survey targeting medical students, neurosurgery residents, and recent neurosurgery graduates from 69 countries in both HICs and LMICs. Questions were framed to assess barriers to training.

Results

Of the 198 responses received (31.3% response rate), 72% identified as male, 27% female, and 0.5% as non-binary gender. 33 respondents were from HICs and 165 were from LMICs. 70.1% of respondents reported no availability of dissection labs in their home institutions. There was a significant difference in availability of subspecialty training between LMICs and HMICs (p = 0.001) but no significance was seen for competitiveness of programs (p = 0.473).

Discussion and conclusion

There are limitations to our study: it is not comprehensive of training programs globally, there is sampling bias, especially among LMICs, and the accuracy of responses is unclear. Nonetheless, our results highlight the need for a deliberate focus on designing and implementing both short and long term goals in tackling barriers to access to neurosurgical training, with a conscientious effort to involve interested stakeholders and governments to invest in the training and education of their neurosurgical workforce. Highlights • In comparing LMICs to HICs, there was no significant difference found in ranked competitiveness for entering neurosurgical training.• A significant difference was found in weekly work hours (p = 0.016) and subspecialty training availability (p = 0.001) between LMICs and HMICs.• 54.4% of countries represented in our study did not have neurosurgical subspecialty training available.• A significant number of our respondents (70.1%) reported no availability of dissection and surgical skills labs in their home institutions.

SUBMITTER: Sarpong K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9560711 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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