Olaoluwa Ezekiel Dada1, Claire Karekezi2, Celestin Bilong Mbangtang3, Edwin Samwel Chellunga4, Thioub Mbaye5, Landry Konan6, Nourou Dine Adeniran Bankole7, Katenga Dieu Merci Kabulo8, Hugues Dokponou7, Nathalie Christelle Ghomsi9, Ahmed Negida10, Stéphane Nguembu11, Nqobile Thango12, Beverly Cheserem13, Larrey Kasereka Kamabu14, Andrew F Alalade15, Ignatius Esene16, Ulrick Sidney Kanmounye11. 1. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon; College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Electronic address: olazekiel1968@gmail.com. 2. Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda. 3. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon. 4. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon; General Surgery Department, Weill Bugando Medical Center, Mwanza, Tanzania. 5. Fann Teaching Hospital, Neurosurgery Department, University of Dakar, Senegal. 6. Department of Neurosurgery, University Felix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. 7. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Mohammed V University of Rabat, Morocco. 8. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon; Neurosurgery Unit, Jason Sendwe Provincial Hospital, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. 9. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon; Department of Neurosurgery, University Felix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. 10. Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. 11. Research Department, Association of Future African Neurosurgeons, Yaounde, Cameroon. 12. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, South Africa. 13. Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. 14. Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Makerere University, Uganda. 15. Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, United Kingdom. 16. Neurosurgery Division, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There is no comprehensive report of neurosurgery postgraduate education in Africa. This narrative review aimed to map out the landscape of neurosurgery training in Africa while highlighting similarities and differences in training. METHODS: The authors searched the keywords "neurosurgery," "education," and "Africa" on PubMed and Google Scholar from inception to 17/01/2021. Next, they conducted a complimentary hand search on Google using the keywords "neurosurgery," "residency," and the individual African countries in English and official languages. The relevant data were extracted and compiled into a narrative review. RESULTS: We identified 76 African training programs that recruit more than 168 trainees each year. Less than half (40.7%, n=22) of African countries have at least one neurosurgery training program. Egypt (n=15), Algeria (n=14), and Nigeria (n=10) have the highest number of training programs, while Algeria (0.33), Egypt (0.15), and Libya (0.15) have the highest number of training programs per 1 million inhabitants. The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa has 16 programs in eight countries, while the West African College of Surgeons has 17 accredited programs in three countries. The duration of training varies between four and eight years. There is limited information available in the public domain and academic literature about subspecialty fellowships in Africa. CONCLUSION: This review will provide prospective applicants, African and global neurosurgery stakeholders to advocate for increased investment in African neurosurgery training programs.
INTRODUCTION: There is no comprehensive report of neurosurgery postgraduate education in Africa. This narrative review aimed to map out the landscape of neurosurgery training in Africa while highlighting similarities and differences in training. METHODS: The authors searched the keywords "neurosurgery," "education," and "Africa" on PubMed and Google Scholar from inception to 17/01/2021. Next, they conducted a complimentary hand search on Google using the keywords "neurosurgery," "residency," and the individual African countries in English and official languages. The relevant data were extracted and compiled into a narrative review. RESULTS: We identified 76 African training programs that recruit more than 168 trainees each year. Less than half (40.7%, n=22) of African countries have at least one neurosurgery training program. Egypt (n=15), Algeria (n=14), and Nigeria (n=10) have the highest number of training programs, while Algeria (0.33), Egypt (0.15), and Libya (0.15) have the highest number of training programs per 1 million inhabitants. The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa has 16 programs in eight countries, while the West African College of Surgeons has 17 accredited programs in three countries. The duration of training varies between four and eight years. There is limited information available in the public domain and academic literature about subspecialty fellowships in Africa. CONCLUSION: This review will provide prospective applicants, African and global neurosurgery stakeholders to advocate for increased investment in African neurosurgery training programs.
Authors: Ulrick Sidney Kanmounye; Claire Karekezi; Arsene Daniel Nyalundja; Ahmed K Awad; Tsegazeab Laeke; James A Balogun Journal: Neuro Oncol Date: 2022-10-03 Impact factor: 13.029