Foundation for International Education in Neurosurgery: The Next Half-Century of Service Through Education

Abstract

The Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS) was founded in 1969, decades before globalization be camea worldwide phenomenon (1–3). Initially, efforts were focused on service delivery in under-resourced areas via short mission trips byindividual neurosurgeons. The wisdom of furthering the impact by creating sustainable training programs in partnership with h ostorganizations developed over time (3). FIENS is a neurosurgeons foundation working in partnership with various organizations toincrease global access to neurosurgery missions through the principle of “service through education (3).” FIENS shifted its f ocus from aservice delivery-centered approach to an approach centered on global health systems strengthening by emphasizing local neurosurgeryresident education and residency program development (3). It has become clear that the integration of neurosurgical efforts within thelocal health system amplifies the overall impact of FIENS initiatives by promoting sustainable change through collaborative action in theservice of local health system goals. From this point forward, initiatives coordinated by FIENS incorporated local stakeholders andworkforce in addition to mechanisms for service delivery, health infrastructure, information management, governance, and funding.

Global Neurosurgery in the Context of Global Public Health Practice–A Literature Review of Case Studies

“…Furthermore, collaborative partnerships and opportunities with the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery are examples of education-focused initiatives to help develop neurosurgical capacity/workforce abroad. 46,47 Given the increasing interest in global neurosurgery as a discipline, the potential for future collaborative partnership between LMICs and HICs to create long-term training programs is on the horizon. In addition, it is crucial to acknowledge the importance of southe south research collaborations or partnerships.…”

Inositol for the Prevention of Neural Tube Defects: A Potential Opportunity for Advocacy in Global Pediatric Neurosurgery

“…The involvement of neurosurgeons in folate policy is increasing. [50][51][52] Combining advocacy for inositol policy with that focused on folate policy may streamline and organize neurosurgical advocacy efforts. The high bar needed for advocacy efforts obviously has not been reached: the intention of this narrative review is to raise awareness of this topic of inositol in the global neurosurgery community.…”

The Role of Medical Students in Global Pediatric Neurosurgery

“…Medical students have also become involved in organization such as the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery to organize webinars on pediatric neurosurgical topics. 23 Lastly, medical students have been involved in global pediatric neurosurgical advocacy. Medical students have become involved in the G4 Alliance and the Global Alliance for the Prevention of Folate-Preventable Spina Bifida to increase awareness of the role of folate fortification in preventing neural tube defects.…”

“…-Read key manuscripts. These provide an overview of global neurosurgery, 2,3,[25][26][27][28][29][30] introduce global neurosurgery to medical students, 17 focus on global pediatric neurosurgical capacity and initiatives, 1, 6, 7 describe advocacy 10,31,32 and education 33,34 in the field, characterize important organizations, 23,24,[35][36][37][38][39] summarize existing collaborations, 40 and describe implementation of global neurosurgery research in practice. 41 Below are important manuscripts specific to global pediatric neurosurgery.…”

“…-Become involved with the pediatric neurosurgery elements of auxiliary organizations within global neurosurgery (Table 2). 23,24,47,48 These organizations also focus on increasing neurosurgical capacity, health systems strengthening, and education and training but are heavily involved in prevention, particularly with regard to head injuries and neural tube defects.…”