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Encarnacion Ramirez MDJ, Peralta Baez IA, Reyes Soto G, Ntalaja Mukengeshay J, tshiunza CM, Rosario AR, Vladimir Nikolaevich N, Nurmukhametov R, Kannan S, Simfukwe K, Duchén Rodríguez LM, Chmutin G, Chmutin E, Sufianov A, Soriano Sanchez JA, Demetriades AK, Baldoncini M, Campero A, Piavchenko G, Montes de Oca JCR, Kalangu KK, Jenkins A, Lafuente J. Challenging assumptions: "unveiling meritocracy's reality in neurosurgery". Front Surg 2024; 11:1423999. [PMID: 39081486 PMCID: PMC11286565 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1423999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Meritocracy, a concept revered as the cornerstone of fairness and equal opportunity, is critically examined in the context of neurosurgery. This article challenges the notion that success in this demanding field is solely determined by individual abilities and effort. It reveals that factors such as background, gender, and socioeconomic status significantly influence one's career trajectory. By investigating how these systemic barriers impact admissions to neurosurgical training programs and professional advancement, the paper underscores the complexity of meritocracy in neurosurgery, suggesting that the meritocratic ideal is more nuanced and influenced by external variables than commonly believed. Results Certain universities deemed elite offer a curriculum divergent from that of their counterparts in low and middle-income countries. Students at these "elite" institutions gain exposure to new technologies and research incentives, which brings us to the realm of research. Remarkably, 75% of articles originating from developed nations account for just 25% of traumatic brain injury cases. This disparity highlights a significant research imbalance, and the common refrain underscores the need to bolster research capabilities in low-income countries. For neurosurgeons in the developing world, engaging in research often becomes a luxury due to multifaceted challenges. Financial barriers, including publication costs and paywalls for accessing articles, pose significant hurdles. Comparing salaries between countries underscores the glaring divide according to "Neurosurgeon Salary" in 2024. Neurosurgeons in the United States receive a median salary of $412,000 dollars per year, compared to $13,200 dollars in Latin America, as of June 2023. Given such incongruities, the prospect of even attending conferences or workshops abroad remains difficult for neurosurgeons from developing nations. Research isn't cast aside due to a lack of interest but due to resource limitations. The present landscape demands reconsideration. Conclusion We underscore the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future in neurosurgery as not just a goal, but a dynamic process fuelled by resilience, collaboration, and a commitment to diversity. The narrative promotes a collective endeavour to dismantle barriers and embrace innovation, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, cross-institutional collaboration, and the amplification of underrepresented voices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gervith Reyes Soto
- Department of Head and Neck, Unidad de Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Andreina Rosario Rosario
- School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Nikolenko Vladimir Nikolaevich
- Human Anatomy and Histology Institute of Clinical Medicine N.V. Sklifosovsky FSAEI HE I.M., Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Renat Nurmukhametov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Russian People’s Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Siddarth Kannan
- School of Medicine, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Keith Simfukwe
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maina Soko Medical Center, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Gennady Chmutin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Russian People’s Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Egor Chmutin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Russian People’s Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Albert Sufianov
- Department of Neurosurgery, Russian People’s Friendship University, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Neurosurgery, I.M., Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- Departments of Neurosurgery, “Federal Centre of Neurosurgery” of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Tyumen, Russia
| | | | | | - Matias Baldoncini
- Laboratory of Microsurgical Neuroanatomy, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aries, Argentina
| | - Alvaro Campero
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Padilla de Tucuman, San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina
| | - Gennadii Piavchenko
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Juan Carlos Roa Montes de Oca
- Deparment of Neurosurgery, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Kazadi Kelvin Kalangu
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Alistair Jenkins
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jesus Lafuente
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital Universitario del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
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Anand A, Ibrahim IA, Kathayat P, Ansari A, Aggarwal Y, Kaur Wahi R, Satapathy P, Rustagi S. Need to address the gender disparities in neurosurgery in India. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:20-22. [PMID: 38222733 PMCID: PMC10783270 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Anand
- B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
- Global Consortium of Medical Education and Research, Pune
| | - Ismail A. Ibrahim
- Fenerbahçe Üniversitesi, Faculty of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Pr, Istanbul, Turkey
- Global Consortium of Medical Education and Research, Pune
| | - Priyangi Kathayat
- Smt NHL Municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Global Consortium of Medical Education and Research, Pune
| | - Ayesha Ansari
- Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha
- Global Consortium of Medical Education and Research, Pune
| | - Yash Aggarwal
- Global Consortium of Medical Education and Research, Pune
- Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida
| | - Riddhpreet Kaur Wahi
- Global Consortium of Medical Education and Research, Pune
- Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, Maharashtra
| | - Prakasini Satapathy
- Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
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