Harrison J Westwick1, Lior M Elkaim2, Sami Obaid1, Aria Fallah3, Albert Tu4, George M Ibrahim5,6, Alexander G Weil1,7. 1. 1Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Montreal. 2. 2Department of Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 3. 3Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, California. 4. 4Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. 5. 5Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto. 6. 6Division of Neurosurgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and. 7. 7Division of Neurosurgery, Sainte-Justine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The lack of access to primary neurosurgical care presents a significant burden for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Efforts to decrease the inequities in access to surgical care have become an increasing focus of initiatives and advocacy within the international neurosurgery community. Although residents may represent highly active members of international teams, the extent of their availability for and interest in global neurosurgery opportunities remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to assess the degree of participation, the level of interest, and the perceived barriers for residents of Canadian neurosurgery programs in engaging in neurosurgery initiatives in LMICs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 144 residents from all accredited Canadian neurosurgery residency programs. The survey was used to determine the level of participation and interest in global neurosurgery initiatives. RESULTS: The survey response rate from residents at Canadian neurosurgery programs was 45/144 (31%), although not all respondents answered every question; thus, the denominator for each question is not always 45. Most neurosurgery residents (n = 30, 68%) were unaware of any global neurosurgery opportunities available during residency. Despite 64% of residents having an interest in participation (strongly agree/agree; n = 28), with most residents planning on participating as attending staff (strongly agree/agree; n = 28, 64%), only 3 residents (7%) had taken part in LMIC neurosurgery initiatives. The most cited perceived limitations for participation were lack of time (n = 37, 84%) and finances (n = 26, 59%). CONCLUSIONS: Among surveyed residents from Canadian neurosurgery programs, there was a low participation rate in global neurosurgery initiatives and limited knowledge of available opportunities, despite relatively high interest. Many respondents identified time and financial constraints as barriers to participation. Many residents felt that interest could increase were there a structured program dedicated to global neurosurgery available in their residency program.
OBJECTIVE: The lack of access to primary neurosurgical care presents a significant burden for patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Efforts to decrease the inequities in access to surgical care have become an increasing focus of initiatives and advocacy within the international neurosurgery community. Although residents may represent highly active members of international teams, the extent of their availability for and interest in global neurosurgery opportunities remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to assess the degree of participation, the level of interest, and the perceived barriers for residents of Canadian neurosurgery programs in engaging in neurosurgery initiatives in LMICs. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 144 residents from all accredited Canadian neurosurgery residency programs. The survey was used to determine the level of participation and interest in global neurosurgery initiatives. RESULTS: The survey response rate from residents at Canadian neurosurgery programs was 45/144 (31%), although not all respondents answered every question; thus, the denominator for each question is not always 45. Most neurosurgery residents (n = 30, 68%) were unaware of any global neurosurgery opportunities available during residency. Despite 64% of residents having an interest in participation (strongly agree/agree; n = 28), with most residents planning on participating as attending staff (strongly agree/agree; n = 28, 64%), only 3 residents (7%) had taken part in LMIC neurosurgery initiatives. The most cited perceived limitations for participation were lack of time (n = 37, 84%) and finances (n = 26, 59%). CONCLUSIONS: Among surveyed residents from Canadian neurosurgery programs, there was a low participation rate in global neurosurgery initiatives and limited knowledge of available opportunities, despite relatively high interest. Many respondents identified time and financial constraints as barriers to participation. Many residents felt that interest could increase were there a structured program dedicated to global neurosurgery available in their residency program.
Entities:
Keywords:
LMIC; LMIC = low- and middle-income country; global surgery; low- and middle-income countries; neurosurgery; residency
Authors: Amit Agrawal; Rajashekar Mohan; Rakesh Mishra; Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar; William Andres Florez-Perdomo Journal: World Neurosurg Date: 2021-01 Impact factor: 2.104
Authors: Samer S Hoz; Awfa A Aktham; Zahraa F Al-Sharshahi; Ignatius N Esene; Dominic Mahoney; Bipin Chaurasia; Sameh E Radwan; Ali A Dolachee; Mohammed M Abdulazeez; Abdullah H Al Ramadan; Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar; Hatem Sadik Journal: Surg Neurol Int Date: 2021-01-13