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Zoli M, Zenesini C, Bassani G, Colangelo A, Fayel E, Labanca Lima G, Maestri M, Pinto G, Scibilia A, Conti A, Mazzatenta D. Shadows and Lights: Perspectives of Training and Education in Neurosurgery for Undergraduate Students. Front Surg 2022; 9:882063. [PMID: 35662820 PMCID: PMC9160662 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.882063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurosurgical education should start during medical school to involve more students, favoring the recruitment of the most prepared and motivated ones and spreading this subject to the future medical generations. Despite multiple investigations, a dedicated educational plan does not exist. This study aims to assess the undergraduates' interests, needs, and perceptions of this subject. Materials and Methods The survey was structured to collect demographic data of the participants, and to explore their interest in neurosurgery, their consideration of its importance in medical school, their opinions about the role of this subject in medical education, their needs in this training, and, the usefulness of this subject for their future career. Results A total of 156 students participated in the survey. Interest in neurosurgery was shown by 76 (48.7%) participants, however, this subject was also perceived as intimidating by 86 (55.1%). Attending the first 2 years of medical school (p < 0.02), previous interest in neuroscience (p < 0.01), and in a surgical subject (p < 0.01) were the factors associated with a greater interest in this subject. Neurosurgery should be included in all students' education, according to 117 (75.0%) participants and practical operating room training should involve all students, according to 96 (61.5%). The most effective learning methods were considered internship (134, 85.9%), followed by participation in meetings or seminars (113, 72.4%). Online seminars were considered useful by 119 participants (76.3%). Neurosurgery was assessed as a potentially interesting career by 99 students (63.5%), who also considered that it can increase their preparation for other subjects (116, 74.4%). Conclusions Neurosurgery was positively considered by medicals students, who, however, also perceived it as intimidating and hardly approachable. Demonstration that knowledge of neurosurgical concepts can improve their preparation also in general medical settings and, not only in the field of neuroscience, can be useful to promote their interest toward this subject. A combination of lectures and practical internships is considered an effective learning method, which can be fruitfully associated with new technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Zoli
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma Neurochirurgia Ipofisi - Pituitary Unit, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Matteo Zoli
| | - Corrado Zenesini
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gemma Bassani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Colangelo
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elad Fayel
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Maestri
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pinto
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonino Scibilia
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neurochirurgia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alfredo Conti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOC Neurochirurgia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Diego Mazzatenta
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Programma Neurochirurgia Ipofisi - Pituitary Unit, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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