Perceptions of Neurosurgery among Medical Students and Interns: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Neurosurgery is considered one of the most admired surgical specializations. Still, as evidenced by observations over the years, it is not amongst the top choices of medical students in Saudi Arabia. This study will help in understanding the perception and attitudes of medical students and interns toward the neurosurgery specialization, which will aid in developing strategies to increase the interest of undergraduates in neurosurgery specialization and bridge the human resource gap in this vital specialty. Objectives: This study aimed to assess perceptions, attitudes, and gender differences of medical students and interns toward neurosurgery. The influence of demographic factors on perceptions of neurosurgery of interns and senior medical students in Saudi Arabia was also investigated. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study on a convenience sample of medical students (clinical years) and interns studying in different colleges of medicine in Saudi Arabia. A total of 1014 responses were included in this study (518 males and 496 females). The questionnaire comprised of two parts: the first part carried general descriptive questions, while the second part had 24-item Likert scale-based questions. Results: Around 40% of medical students and 26% of interns agreed or strongly agreed to the statement ‘I would consider a career in neurosurgery. Around 70% of both interns and students agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘Huge prestige is attached to neurosurgery’. The responses to the statement ‘Neurosurgery is a male specialty’ was significantly different between genders, as 36.5% of the male respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement while just 12.5% of the females responded likewise (p = 0.000). Only 23% of participants reported having completed a rotation in neurosurgery. About 44.7% of respondents were interested in taking an elective rotation in neurosurgery, while the remaining respondents (55.3%) responded with a negative answer. Only 23% of participants had completed an undergraduate rotation in neurosurgery. More males (65.3%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement ‘Work as a neurosurgery specialist can impede family life as compared to females (57.5%), which was highly significant (p = 0.000). More medical students (45.1%) responded in the agreement or strong agreement in response to the statement’ Neurosurgery should be a compulsory rotation during internship’ as compared to interns (25.8%). Around 65% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that teachers/seniors have a great influence on students’ specialization choices. Around 67% of the respondents foresaw a purely clinical role for themselves after graduation, while 17% were interested in a clinical–academician role. Conclusion: The study reflected a generally positive attitude towards neurosurgery amongst medical students and interns. Interest in neurosurgery as a specialization can be strengthened by enhancing the exposure of students and interns to the specialty. Teachers and seniors can be useful influencers to motivate students to consider neurosurgery specialization.

Assessment of the adequacy of neurosurgery teaching methods among medical students in Enugu State, Nigeria

“…Our study revealed that the majority of students rotate through neurosurgery, which is commendable. This differs from a study[ 7 ] by Ibrahim et al ., which revealed that 23% had rotated through neurosurgery, and more students (45.1%) agreed that neurosurgery rotations should be compulsory in medical school and internship. This rotational experience and clerkship opportunities would give the students an actual real-life neurosurgery experience which has been shown to improve the skill level of the students in the future and also significantly improve their chances of matching into neurosurgery programs in a study in the United States by Ekhator et al .…”

Factors Affecting the Choice of Neurosurgery as a Future Career: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The average age observed in our study was 21.7 years, with 59.9% female participation. Predominant female participation was observed in many other studies [13][14][15][16][17]. However, a predominant male participation was observed in some other studies [2,18].…”

“…Alghamdi et al found that younger students were significantly more interested than older students and interns [2]. Similarly, Alnaami I. et al found that 40% of students were interested, whereas only 26% of interns were interested in pursuing a career in neurosurgery [13].…”

“…Neurosurgery is one of the most recognized surgical specialties. Nevertheless, as indicated by observations throughout time, it is not among Saudi Arabia's top selections for medical students [13].…”