Ulrick Sidney Kanmounye1,2, Yvan Zolo1,3, Marvin Richie Dongmo Tsopmene1,4, Stéphane Nguembu1,5, Aliyu Baba Ndajiwo1,6, Khalif Abdifatah1,7, Dawin Sichimba1,8, Aminata Yandeh Sallah1,9, Geneviève Endalle1,3, Robert Kaduyu1,10, Kennedy Kimani Chege1,10, Régis Takoukam1,4, Toivo Hasheela1,9, Nourou Dine Adeniran Bankole1,11, Kantenga Dieu Merci Kabulo1,9, Francklin Tétinou1,5, Igor Ayiodjeu Nitcheu1,4, Chidiebere Sunday Ibe1,12, Arsène Daniel Nyalundja1,13, Dylan Djiofack1,14, Berjo Dongmo Takoutsing1,3, Nathalie Christelle Ghomsi1,4. 1. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon. 2. Neurosurgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Bel Campus University of Technology, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon. 4. Neurosurgery Department, Felix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. 5. Faculty of Medicine, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon. 6. Surgery Department, General Hospital Minna, Minna, Nigeria. 7. Neurosurgery Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. 8. School of Medicine, Copperbelt University, Kitwe, Zambia. 9. Neurosurgery Unity, Department of Surgery, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. 10. Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya. 11. Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgical and Medico-surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco. 12. Chemistry Department, University of Uyo City, Uyo, , Nigeria. 13. Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. 14. Faculty of Medicine, Higher Institute of Medical Technology, Nkolondom, Cameroon.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Three million African patients need a neurosurgical consultation every year, but there are not enough neurosurgeons to meet this need. Efforts have been made to increase the neurosurgical capacity through the creation of training programs in Africa. Although these programs have been successful, there is still a long way to go. Aspiring African neurosurgeons (AANs) will become neurosurgeons in the future if they are given the resources and opportunities. The authors set out to understand the perceptions, needs, and difficulties faced by AANs. METHODS: An e-survey containing 45 questions was created using Google Forms and distributed via social media. The survey was anonymous, and it was distributed from June 2, 2020, to June 16, 2020. Summary descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square test were calculated. The p-value was considered to be significant below .05. RESULTS: A total of 221 AANs aged 23.5 ± 3.3 years and from 22 African countries responded to the survey. Most were male (66.1%) and medical students (84.6%). Few had assisted a neurosurgical intervention in-person (24.9%), had a mentor (29.0%) or attended a journal club (10.3%). A small proportion was unwilling to train in their home country (19.5%) or a neighboring country (16.3%). The top three reasons for choosing neurosurgery were prestige, advice from a family member, and projected income. Also, respondents felt neurosurgery was expensive. CONCLUSION: AANs are passionate about neurosurgery but lack the information, guidance, or opportunities to fulfil their wish.
INTRODUCTION: Three million African patients need a neurosurgical consultation every year, but there are not enough neurosurgeons to meet this need. Efforts have been made to increase the neurosurgical capacity through the creation of training programs in Africa. Although these programs have been successful, there is still a long way to go. Aspiring African neurosurgeons (AANs) will become neurosurgeons in the future if they are given the resources and opportunities. The authors set out to understand the perceptions, needs, and difficulties faced by AANs. METHODS: An e-survey containing 45 questions was created using Google Forms and distributed via social media. The survey was anonymous, and it was distributed from June 2, 2020, to June 16, 2020. Summary descriptive statistics and the Chi-Square test were calculated. The p-value was considered to be significant below .05. RESULTS: A total of 221 AANs aged 23.5 ± 3.3 years and from 22 African countries responded to the survey. Most were male (66.1%) and medical students (84.6%). Few had assisted a neurosurgical intervention in-person (24.9%), had a mentor (29.0%) or attended a journal club (10.3%). A small proportion was unwilling to train in their home country (19.5%) or a neighboring country (16.3%). The top three reasons for choosing neurosurgery were prestige, advice from a family member, and projected income. Also, respondents felt neurosurgery was expensive. CONCLUSION: AANs are passionate about neurosurgery but lack the information, guidance, or opportunities to fulfil their wish.
Entities:
Keywords:
Africa; medical students; neurosurgery; perceptions; residency
Authors: Olaoluwa Ezekiel Dada; Setthasorn Zhi Yang Ooi; George William Bukenya; Yves Jordan Kenfack; Chi Le; Efosa Ohonba; Emmanuel Adeyemo; Kapil Narain; Ahmed K Awad; Umaru Barrie; Dawin Sichimba; Oloruntoba Ogunfolaji; Lilian Mwende Kitonga; Adaeze Juanita Oriaku; Michael A Bamimore; Douglas Emeka Okor; Ola Rominiyi Journal: Front Surg Date: 2022-02-10