Some Results From the Sociological Survey of Neurosurgeons on Neurosurgical Care Problems in Mongolia

Abstract

Introduction: Up to date, no scientific research has been undertaken in Mongolia highlighting problems of neurosurgical care from the perspective of providers of medical services – neurosurgeons. Objective: To identify the key problems and priority areas for optimizing neurosurgical care in Mongolia from the perspective of providers of medical services – neurosurgeons. Methods of Research: Sociological, statistical methods. Results: According to neurosurgeons, key problems of organization of neurosurgical care in Mongolia are as follows: depletion of stocks of instruments and equipment, insufficient educational base for the training of qualified specialists, and monopoly position of neurosurgical departments. Priority areas of optimization of neurosurgical care are improvement of neurosurgical care organization, including its centralization and structural reorganization, as well as staffing and resource provision. Conclusions: 1. The results of the study revealed that 13.8% of neurosurgeons in Mongolia rated neurosurgical care organization as unsatisfactory and 15.7% of respondents rated organization of the work of neurosurgical (surgical) departments as unsatisfactory. 2. More than a quarter of respondents (27.5%) rated the quality of tools in the operating room as unsatisfactory, while most respondents (80.4%) noted the lack of tools in the operating room. 3. According to 64.7% of neurosurgeons, neurosurgical (surgical) departments need major repairs and 25.5% of respondents noted that cosmetic repairs of departments’ are needed. 4. The key problems in the organization of neurosurgical care in Mongolia are shortage of tools and equipment, insufficient educational base for the training of qualified specialists, and the monopoly position of neurosurgical departments. 5. Priority areas of optimization of neurosurgical care, according to neurosurgeons, are improving of neurosurgical care organization, including its centralization and structural reorganization, as well as staffing and resource provision.