CC BY 4.0 · Indian Journal of Neurosurgery
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1804537
Original Article

Does Neurosurgery Residency Training Program Meet the Current Clinical Practice Needs? Results of an Online Questionnaire-Based Survey of Alumni

Madhusudhan Nagesh
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Abhinith Shashidhar
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Subhas Konar
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Andiperumal Prabhuraj
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Nupur Pruthi
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
Arivazhagan Arimappamagan
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
1   Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
› Author Affiliations
 

Abstract

Background

Neurosurgery as a specialty is evolving daily, and new subspecialties are emerging. New treatment modalities are incorporated into day-to-day practice. The present residency training program must be remodeled to meet current needs. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether the institute's residency training program met the needs of the current practice of the alumni of the institute.

Methods

An online questionnaire-based survey was prepared considering the themes of the residency program, subspecialty exposure, and fellowships. The links were forwarded to the institute's alumni from 2003 to 2021 batches, and the responses were analyzed.

Results

In total, 102 responses were received (85% response rate). Ninety-two respondents practice within the country, most at private multispecialty hospitals. In all, 92.2% were satisfied with the overall training they received; most deemed it adequate for their current clinical practice. Satisfaction levels were low for training on surgical anatomy, follow-up assessments, and multidisciplinary interactions. Exposure to subspecialties like endovascular was the least, and exposures to spine, functional, endoscopic skull base, and radiosurgery were deemed subpar. Forty-eight pursued additional fellowships in various specialties, and 85.4% reported that the fellowship significantly contributed to their current practice.

Conclusion

Transition from residency to individual practice is often challenging for young neurosurgeons. This survey highlights the expectations and satisfaction levels of the alumni. It also emphasizes the need for exposure to upcoming subspecialties.


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Introduction

Neurosurgical residency programs worldwide have a unique burden of training future neurosurgeons who must adopt training methods to ever-evolving and advancing practices in the field while simultaneously delivering quality care to their patients. Dr. Jacob Chandy started the first neurosurgical department in India at Christian Medical College in 1949, and a formal residency training program was started there in 1958.[1] Dr. Raja Martanda Varma began the Department of Neurosurgery at the All India Institute of Mental Health (AIIMH), Bangalore, in 1958. Later, the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) was formed following the amalgamation of the Mysore Government Mental Hospital and the AIIMH and was inaugurated on February 14, 1975.[2] Under the guidance of Dr. R.M. Varma and Dr. G.N. Narayana Reddy, the Magister Chirurgiae (MCh) course for neurosurgery residency was started in 1971. To date, over 200 students have graduated from the institute in neurosurgery. The institute offers both 5-year post-MBBS course and 3-year post-MS course in neurosurgery. The residency training program has been the same over the years with minor changes incorporated over the years.

With the emergence of new subspecialties and newer advances in treatment, neurosurgery as a specialty is rapidly evolving. The residency program must incorporate these changes and train the residents to shape them into confident neurosurgeons to start their careers. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the residency program periodically to uphold the quality and adequacy of training in line with the current trends. Young neurosurgeons are prejudiced to pursue additional fellowships, often in many subspecialties. The rationale for the same could be many, including advancement in knowledge, better job prospects, academic prestige, and inadequate training during residency.[3] Spine, pediatrics, and cerebrovascular are the popular subspecialty programs among academic neurosurgeons in the United States.[4]

After finishing their training, a neurosurgeon with a few years of experience can assess the demands of current practice and effectively identify the importance of different aspects of residency training. In this study, we evaluate the perception of graduated neurosurgeons from NIMHANS regarding their residency program they went through, subspecialty exposure, and any feedback to improve the program at NIMHANS. We conducted an online questionnaire-based survey of the institute's alumni to evaluate the residency program's present needs.


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Methods

An online questionnaire was designed using the application Google Forms ([Supplementary Material], available in the online version). The questionnaire covered basic details of their practice setting, satisfaction levels of training, the relevance of various aspects of residency program in their practice, and exposure to multiple subspecialties. Respondents' perceptions were graded on a 10-point Likert scale, wherever applicable. The respondents were asked to grade various aspects of training on clinical evaluation, radiology interpretation, surgical anatomy, operative exposure, hands-on experience, follow-up assessments, and multidisciplinary interactions. A score of ≥7 was considered satisfactory and a score of ≤6 was considered subpar. The respondents were also asked if they pursued fellowships after residency and the rationale behind it. They were asked to provide feedback/suggestions to improve the current residency program. The link was forwarded to the alumni of the institute from 2003 to 2021 batches. The batches of the last two decades were selected as they would know the recent trend of residency programs and clinical practice. Results were analyzed after responses were collected and tabulated. Group comparisons for continuously distributed data were made via the independent sample “t”-test when two groups were compared. The chi-squared test was used for group comparisons of categorical data. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of less than 0.05.


#

Results

One hundred and two responses were received from the 120 alumni the questionnaire was sent to (85% response rate). The mean age of the respondents was 40.38 ± 5.17 years. A total of 55.9% of the respondents completed post-MS and 44.1% completed post-MBBS residency courses. Among the respondents, 60.8% had continued as chief residents in the department for an entire year after their graduation.

At the time of this survey, most respondents (90.2%) practiced in India, while the rest practiced in different countries. While 43 (42.2%) of the respondents practiced in tier-1 metropolitan cities, a similar proportion (48%) practiced in tier-2/3 cities. Two-thirds (66.6%) of the respondents were doing private practice, 30.4% were working in an academic institute run by the central or state government, and two were pursuing fellowships in the United States and Canada at the time of the survey ([Fig. 1]).

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 Chart showing the current practice setting of the respondents. Others, those pursuing fellowships at the time of survey.

Satisfaction Levels to Various Aspects of Training Program

Ninety-four respondents (92.2%) were satisfied with the overall residency training they received at the institute (score of ≥7). The respondents were asked to rate the relevance of various aspects of the training program in day-to-day practice and their satisfaction levels. The median scores are represented in [Fig. 2]. Clinical history taking and neurological examination are essential for residency training and help in appropriate decision-making. Preoperative planning and radiology interpretation are paramount for every case. A total of 90.2% of the respondents agreed that clinical evaluation is relevant, and 100% agreed that training in radiology interpretation is appropriate in daily practice. Notably, 95.1 and 97.1% of respondents were satisfied with the training received in the above aspects, respectively. About 79.4% of the respondents were satisfied with the teaching of surgical anatomy during their course. Most respondents (92.2%) were satisfied with the surgical exposure they received during the training, and 88.2% were happy with the hands-on experience they gained. The residents are rotated between emergency and elective services in different units during the course. This maximizes surgical exposure to various cases and provides ample learning opportunities.

Zoom Image
Fig. 2 Chart showing the relevance of various aspects of training in everyday practice and its perceived satisfaction level. The median scores graded on a Likert scale from least to most (0 to 10).

Assessment of patients' postsurgery and follow-ups is essential to clinical practice. Most respondents (95.1%) reported that these aspects were relevant to their practice. However, 13.7% were unsatisfied with the quality of follow-up assessments, and 11.8% were unsatisfied with multidisciplinary interactions during their residency. Part of this could be explained by the department's practice, where the faculty assess all the follow-ups. It may be crucial to involve residents in this aspect.


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Exposure to Various Subspecialties

The respondents graded the surgical exposure to various subspecialties during their training period, represented in [Fig. 3]. The majority of respondents (89.2%) agreed that the exposure to trauma and emergency care was most adequate (score of ≥9). Exposure to neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular, and open skull base was deemed sufficient (score of ≥7) by 91.1, 87.2, and 78.4%, respectively. Although a significant proportion of the cases encountered in daily clinical practice are trauma and spine, it was alarming to note that 57.8% of the respondents rated spine exposure to be subpar (score of ≤6). Despite having many cases undergoing functional surgery and radiosurgery, only 34.3 and 50.9% of the respondents found the training in these subspecialties, respectively, to be adequate. Exposure to endovascular surgery was described as uniformly poor by all respondents, as neuroradiologists solely carry out endovascular interventions.

Zoom Image
Fig. 3 Chart showing the relative exposure of various subspecialties during residency.

On analyzing the responses based on their graduating years, 2003 to 2012 versus 2013 to 2021, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of satisfaction levels on various aspects of training. However, the mean scores for exposure to subspecialties like neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular, open and endoscopic skull base, and functional neurosurgery were higher in the 2013 to 2021 group. This indicates that the training program has evolved in these aspects with time. The rest of the parameters are outlined in [Table 1].

Table 1

Breakup of responses based on graduating year 2003 to 2012 versus 2013 to 2021 to assess the trend

Parameter

2003–2012 graduating year

2013–2021 graduating year

p-value

No. of respondents, n (%)

48 (47.1)

54 (52.9)

Satisfaction levels of training on various aspects

Clinical evaluation

9.00 ± 1.29

9.33 ± 1.03

0.155

Radiology interpretation

9.13 ± 1.12

9.02 ± 1.37

0.667

Surgical anatomy

7.58 ± 1.56

8.11 ± 1.98

0.135

Surgical exposure

8.29 ± 1.46

8.81 ± 1.44

0.072

Hands-on experience

8.02 ± 1.59

8.46 ± 1.60

0.165

Follow-up assessment

7.00 ± 2.29

6.54 ± 2.39

0.320

Multidisciplinary interaction

7.56 ± 2.37

6.80 ± 2.36

0.105

Exposure to various subspeciality

Trauma and emergency

9.29 ± 1.13

9.33 ± 1.71

0.883

Neuro-oncology

7.88 ± 1.50

8.93 ± 0.97

<0.0001

Cerebrovascular

7.40 ± 1.74

8.43 ± 1.36

0.001

Open skull base

7.06 ± 1.90

8.26 ± 1.78

0.001

Radiosurgery

5.77 ± 2.74

6.54 ± 2.42

0.140

Endoscopic skull base

4.08 ± 2.57

6.96 ± 2.15

<0.0001

Spine

6.21 ± 2.16

6.04 ± 2.03

0.682

Functional

4.90 ± 2.41

6.06 ± 2.36

0.016

Endovascular

2.46 ± 2.20

1.65 ± 1.72

0.043

Fellowship pursued after residency, n (%)

23 (48.9)

24 (51.1)

0.725

There was no significant difference in the above parameters when analyzed between respondents who had completed 1 year of chief residency versus those who did not, and between respondents who did a post-MBBS course versus those who did a post-MS course.


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Additional Fellowship Training

Forty-eight of the 102 respondents (47.1%) had pursued additional fellowship degrees in one or more subspecialties. Of these, 52% completed training in more than one subspecialty. Most of them had completed fellowships in open and endoscopic skull base surgery, spine surgery including minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, and functional neurosurgery, as shown in [Fig. 4]. Of these, 16.6% had completed short-duration programs of less than 3 months, and 52.1% had completed long-term programs of more than 12 months. Most (85.4%) responded that pursuing a fellowship in the subspecialty significantly contributed to their practice. About 59.6% answered that they received inadequate training in that subspecialty during residency. The rationale behind doing additional fellowships were various, including exposure to multiple cases, hands-on experience, advanced equipment, research opportunities, learning different viewpoints, new techniques, and skilled mentors. In all, 57.8% of post-MBBS course respondents and 36.8% of post-MS course respondents pursued additional fellowships (p = 0.035).

Zoom Image
Fig. 4 Chart showing additional fellowship programs pursued by the respondents.

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Feedback on the Current Training Program

At the end of the survey, each respondent was asked to share feedback or to recommend any changes in the current training pattern of the residency program. Many (78.4%) thought that the formal training in neurosurgery was adequate for their everyday clinical practice. Few deemed this the best residency training program in the country, with ample learning opportunities. Most respondents uniformly suggested starting structured postdoctoral fellowship courses in various subspecialties and offering such courses to chief residents who continue for a year after graduation. Few said that chief residents should be offered to focus on one or two subspecialties of their interest, and a certification at the end of training in the desired subspecialty would enhance job prospects for the new graduates.

Another consistent feedback we received was regarding the need for more exposure in endovascular interventions and spine surgery. Many wished for better hands-on experience and exposure to minimally invasive spine surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, and deformity corrections. Regarding academic training, suggestions were made to have combined neuroradiology sessions and neurology case presentations, faculty lectures, dedicated postings to skills/cadaver laboratory for training in microvascular suturing, brain dissections, and cranial and spinal approaches. Some of the suggestions included that residents would also benefit from training in introductory biostatistics and research methodology, which would also improve the number of publications from the department. Incorporation of a case logbook for residents to ensure uniformity of exposure and hands-on training for a variety of cases was also suggested.


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Discussion

A residency training program is as good as the students graduating. Upon graduation, the students step into the real world and start their practice as confident neurosurgeons, and the training program significantly impacts their careers. The surveys that have been done previously to assess residency programs predominantly took considerations of residents in training regarding their aspirations, experiences, and expectations of the training program.[5] [6] This present survey aims to evaluate the perception of graduates regarding the training they had in the institute and identify the aspects of the training program that can be improvised.

The neurosurgery residency program at NIMHANS is more than 50 years old. It is essential to periodically upgrade the course curriculum to incorporate current developments in neurosurgery. It should also cater to the requirements and demands of present clinical practice to produce quality neurosurgeons who can successfully and confidently start individual practice. Hence, reevaluating the training program at regular intervals is necessary.

Satisfaction Levels to Various Aspects of Training Program

Most respondents agreed that training in clinical evaluation and radiology interpretation forms the program's backbone. A survey to evaluate residency programs in India also reported that the residents corresponded with the significance of these aspects of training.[5] In the same study, they said that 13.5% of the respondents were unsatisfied with the quality of operative teaching, and 24% of residents wished for better hands-on experience during their residency. Both of these aspects were deemed satisfactory by our respondents. A study assessing different surgical residency training programs reported that operative case volume and hands-on training were the most significant predictors of resident satisfaction.[7] While evaluating neurosurgery residency in Europe, Stienen et al reported a substantial decline in surgical exposure during training between 1976 and 2019.[8] This could be due to stricter work-hour regulations[9] and an increase in the number of trainees in recent years. The number of procedures performed independently, supervised, and assisted during residency were comparable across programs in Europe, but cranial procedures were more often performed than spinal surgeries. The number of surgeries residents performed was considerably related to their academic satisfaction.[10] In our department, after completing a full year of chief residency, each graduate will have performed approximately 1,200 to 1,400 cases, of which 450 to 500 cases would be performed independently or under the supervision of a senior or consultant.

Although not reported in other studies, the training on follow-up/outcome assessments and multidisciplinary interactions are crucial to wholesome training. This was agreed upon by most of the respondents in our survey. Multidisciplinary meetings happen as part of presurgical evaluation for epilepsy and movement disorders programs. Joint neuroradiology conferences, combined clinical case discussions with the neurology department, and tumor board meets with the oncologists would be helpful if they are a part of the academic schedule.


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Exposure to Various Subspecialties

Subspecialty exposure is another aspect of training that has gained more importance recently. Although most respondents felt content with their neurosurgery training, the differences in exposure to various subspecialties were evident. A recent study reported that exposure to neuro-oncology, spine, and neurotrauma was considered most adequate, and exposure to stereotactic and functional neurosurgery, peripheral nerve surgery, and endovascular surgery was considered least adequate.[11] When Yaeger et al studied the recent trends in neurosurgery education of the last decade in the United States, they noticed an increase in endovascular, functional, trauma, and spine case logs.[12] A survey was done by Gadjradj et al in which members of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons responded that they were least proficient in endovascular surgery, endoscopic lumbar discectomy, and deep brain stimulation, and wished they had learned spinal fusion, endovascular, functional, and skull base surgery during their residency.[13] In the United States, around 20% of the programs had mandatory away rotations, primarily for pediatric, functional, peripheral nerve, and trauma, to meet minimum case log requirements.[14] As outlined in [Table 1], there is a trend toward better exposure to vascular, skull base, and functional neurosurgery in recent years at the institute. Also, exposure to endovascular neurosurgery is practically nil, and in recent years, residents in their final year have been allowed to observe the same in a different program as part of the curriculum. This is the right step in the desired direction.

A year of chief residency is essential for the transition to independent practice. This year allows for subspecialty focus and career planning.[15] In 2004, the University of Florida Department of Neurosurgery started a Transition to Practice program with a set of curricular objectives for a safer transition to the role of independent practitioner.[16] With this program, the chief resident was given additional responsibilities of a junior faculty and at the end of the program, the residents reported the development of self-confidence and a real sense of responsibility for patients. A Canadian survey of program directors and neurosurgery graduates cited that the graduates needed to be proficient in specific vascular, functional, peripheral nerve, and endoscopic procedures due to limited exposure during training, and most felt these techniques required additional structured subspecialty training.[17] Similarly, consistent feedback from the respondents was to provide the opportunity for chief residents to focus on a desired subspecialty for additional focused training.


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Additional Fellowship Training

As neurosurgeons advance their careers, they sometimes narrow their practice and increase volumes.[18] A study reported that 30% of their respondents (practicing neurosurgeons in the United States) felt that they would seek a recognized focused practice certification if offered in their area of subspecialty focus. Among the surveyed residents in training in the United States, 84.6% considered pursuing further fellowship training.[3] A recent analysis showed that 79.13% of academic neurosurgeons had completed fellowship training.[4] Among North American neurosurgical residency graduates of two decades, 40.7% had completed fellowship, the most common being spine (27.2%), endovascular (14.6%), and pediatric (14%).[19] The proportion of residents pursuing fellowships increased from 1997 to 2006 to 2007 to 2016 (29.1 vs. 49.6%). In our study, the proportion of graduates seeking a fellowship in the two consecutive decades was similar (48.8 vs. 45.8%). Skull base open or endoscopic, spine, and functional neurosurgery were the popular choices in our survey.

Few neurosurgery residency programs in the country provide training in endovascular procedures.[20] And very few neurointerventional fellowship programs are open to neurosurgeons.[21] However, the duration of these programs is variable, and the training is nonstandardized. The majority of trainings in radiosurgery for neurosurgical residents are through nonfocused rotations.[22] In our study, a few respondents also said that the exposure to functional neurosurgery and radiosurgery was not uniform, even though these services were routinely provided in the department. Uniformity in resident rotation between teams and maintaining a case log and periodic evaluation might help improve perception levels. Integrating formal and structured radiosurgery, elective rotations or an extended radiosurgery fellowship postresidency fills the gaps in knowledge and improves procedural competency.[23]

Scholarly productivity is a critical component of academic advancement. Many of our respondents pursued further fellowships for the broadened research opportunities. A trend has been observed showing a greater mean h-index score for those who completed fellowships.[24] Among fellowship-trained spinal neurosurgeons in the United States, 37.2% held academic positions.[25] They also reported that completing more than one clinical fellowship in any of the top five programs that graduated most fellows, higher h-index during residency, and protected research time during residency were independently associated with an academic career trajectory.


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Limitations

There could be a recall bias in such a survey, especially with respondents who finished their residency more than a decade ago. This being a study to evaluate the residency program of one institute, its scope is limited to this particular institute. However, it emphasizes the need to periodically reevaluate the training program at every institute to meet current needs.


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Conclusion

Overall, the alumni of the institute report a high level of satisfaction with the training program. The surgical exposure and the hands-on experience during training are some of the bests in the country and at par with the programs around the world. With changing trends in neurosurgery and increasing subspecialization, the transition to independent practice is becoming challenging. The present study highlights the need for periodic reevaluation and upgradation of residency training programs in prominent institutes. Sincere efforts should be made to improve the perception levels of graduates in terms of exposure to upcoming subspecialties. Our survey has revealed the expectations of graduates and the scope for improvement of the training program. This can be a model to improve and regulate the training programs across the country. Attention to these critical components of resident education will likely affect training outcomes.


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Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Data Availability Statement

The relevant data are provided in the manuscript.


Supplementary Material

  • References

  • 1 Rajshekhar V. History of neurosurgery at Christian Medical College, Vellore: a pioneer's tale. Neurol India 2016; 64 (02) 297-310
  • 2 Bhat DI, Devi IB. History of Neurosurgery at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences: an epitome of steady growth. Neurol India 2015; 63 (01) 91-95
  • 3 Lee TT, Klose JL. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Education Committee. Survey on neurosurgery subspecialty fellowship training. Surg Neurol 1999; 52 (06) 641-644 , discussion 644–645
  • 4 Gupta A, Reddy V, Barpujari A. et al. Current trends in subspecialty fellowship training for 1691 academic neurological surgeons. World Neurosurg 2023; 171: e47-e56
  • 5 Garg K, Deora H, Mishra S. et al. How is neurosurgical residency in India? Results of an anonymized national survey of residents. Neurol India 2019; 67 (03) 777-782
  • 6 Deora H, Garg K, Tripathi M, Mishra S, Chaurasia B. Residency perception survey among neurosurgery residents in lower-middle-income countries: grassroots evaluation of neurosurgery education. Neurosurg Focus 2020; 48 (03) E11
  • 7 Kejela S, Tiruneh AG. Determinants of satisfaction and self-perceived proficiency of trainees in surgical residency programs at a single institution. BMC Med Educ 2022; 22 (01) 473
  • 8 Stienen MN, Freyschlag CF, Schaller K, Meling T. EANS Young Neurosurgeons and EANS Training Committee. Procedures performed during neurosurgery residency in Europe. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2020; 162 (10) 2303-2311
  • 9 Jagannathan J, Vates GE, Pouratian N. et al. Impact of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work-hour regulations on neurosurgical resident education and productivity. J Neurosurg 2009; 110 (05) 820-827
  • 10 Gopal VV, Balakrishnan PK. Determinants of academic satisfaction of neurosurgery residents -based on a cross sectional questionnaire survey in Kerala. Indian J Appl Res 2020; 10 (09) 37-40
  • 11 Pahwa B, Chaurasia B, Garg K, Bozkurt I, Deora H. Factors affecting the choice of neurosurgery subspecialty: a geographic and gender-wise analysis. World Neurosurg 2023; 171: e864-e873
  • 12 Yaeger KA, Munich SA, Byrne RW, Germano IM. Trends in United States neurosurgery residency education and training over the last decade (2009-2019). Neurosurg Focus 2020; 48 (03) E6
  • 13 Gadjradj PS, Matawlie RHS, Harhangi BS. The neurosurgical curriculum: which procedures are essential?. Interdiscip Neurosurg 2020; 21: 100723
  • 14 Gephart MH, Derstine P, Oyesiku NM. et al. Resident away rotations allow adaptive neurosurgical training. Neurosurgery 2015; 76 (04) 421-425 , discussion 425–426
  • 15 Mooney J, Laskay NMB, Salehani A, Shannon CN, Rozzelle C. Postgraduate year 6 versus postgraduate year 7 neurosurgical chief year: a survey of residents and program directors. World Neurosurg 2023; 171: e679-e685
  • 16 Lister JR, Friedman WA, Murad GJ, Dow J, Lombard GJ. Evaluation of a transition to practice program for neurosurgery residents: creating a safe transition from resident to independent practitioner. J Grad Med Educ 2010; 2 (03) 366-372
  • 17 Haji FA, Steven DA. Readiness for practice: a survey of neurosurgery graduates and program directors. Can J Neurol Sci 2014; 41 (06) 721-728
  • 18 Babu MA, Liau LM, Meyer FB. Recognized focused practice: does sub-specialty designation offer value to the neurosurgeon?. PLoS One 2017; 12 (Suppl. 12) e0189105
  • 19 Chandra A, Brandel MG, Yue JK. et al. Trends in neurosurgical fellowship training in North America over two decades 1997 to 2016. Neurosurgery 2019; 66 (Suppl. 01) 310-326
  • 20 Joshi KC. Current trends in the management of intracranial aneurysms and how neurosurgical residency programs in India are falling behind in this revolution. Neurol India 2018; 66 (03) 892-893
  • 21 Chaganty SS, Ozair A, Rahman F. State of accredited endovascular neurosurgery training in India in 2021: challenges to capacity building in subspecialty neurosurgical care. Front Surg 2021; 8: 705246
  • 22 Samuel N, Trifiletti DM, Quinones-Hinojosa A, Lunsford LD, Sheehan J. Stereotactic radiosurgery training patterns across neurosurgical programs: a multi-national survey. J Neurooncol 2021; 151 (02) 325-330
  • 23 Ding K, Romiyo P, Ng E. et al. A systematic analysis of stereotactic radiosurgery surveys for residents in neurosurgery training programs. J Neurol Sci 2020; 417: 116867
  • 24 Agarwal N, Clark S, Svider PF, Couldwell WT, Eloy JA, Liu JK. Impact of fellowship training on research productivity in academic neurological surgery. World Neurosurg 2013; 80 (06) 738-744
  • 25 Khalafallah AM, Jimenez AE, Shlobin NA. et al. Predictors of an academic career among fellowship-trained spinal neurosurgeons. J Neurosurg Spine 2021; 35 (02) 251-258

Address for correspondence

Nishanth Sadashiva, MBBS, MCh
Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka
India   

Publication History

Article published online:
02 April 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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  • References

  • 1 Rajshekhar V. History of neurosurgery at Christian Medical College, Vellore: a pioneer's tale. Neurol India 2016; 64 (02) 297-310
  • 2 Bhat DI, Devi IB. History of Neurosurgery at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences: an epitome of steady growth. Neurol India 2015; 63 (01) 91-95
  • 3 Lee TT, Klose JL. Congress of Neurological Surgeons Education Committee. Survey on neurosurgery subspecialty fellowship training. Surg Neurol 1999; 52 (06) 641-644 , discussion 644–645
  • 4 Gupta A, Reddy V, Barpujari A. et al. Current trends in subspecialty fellowship training for 1691 academic neurological surgeons. World Neurosurg 2023; 171: e47-e56
  • 5 Garg K, Deora H, Mishra S. et al. How is neurosurgical residency in India? Results of an anonymized national survey of residents. Neurol India 2019; 67 (03) 777-782
  • 6 Deora H, Garg K, Tripathi M, Mishra S, Chaurasia B. Residency perception survey among neurosurgery residents in lower-middle-income countries: grassroots evaluation of neurosurgery education. Neurosurg Focus 2020; 48 (03) E11
  • 7 Kejela S, Tiruneh AG. Determinants of satisfaction and self-perceived proficiency of trainees in surgical residency programs at a single institution. BMC Med Educ 2022; 22 (01) 473
  • 8 Stienen MN, Freyschlag CF, Schaller K, Meling T. EANS Young Neurosurgeons and EANS Training Committee. Procedures performed during neurosurgery residency in Europe. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2020; 162 (10) 2303-2311
  • 9 Jagannathan J, Vates GE, Pouratian N. et al. Impact of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work-hour regulations on neurosurgical resident education and productivity. J Neurosurg 2009; 110 (05) 820-827
  • 10 Gopal VV, Balakrishnan PK. Determinants of academic satisfaction of neurosurgery residents -based on a cross sectional questionnaire survey in Kerala. Indian J Appl Res 2020; 10 (09) 37-40
  • 11 Pahwa B, Chaurasia B, Garg K, Bozkurt I, Deora H. Factors affecting the choice of neurosurgery subspecialty: a geographic and gender-wise analysis. World Neurosurg 2023; 171: e864-e873
  • 12 Yaeger KA, Munich SA, Byrne RW, Germano IM. Trends in United States neurosurgery residency education and training over the last decade (2009-2019). Neurosurg Focus 2020; 48 (03) E6
  • 13 Gadjradj PS, Matawlie RHS, Harhangi BS. The neurosurgical curriculum: which procedures are essential?. Interdiscip Neurosurg 2020; 21: 100723
  • 14 Gephart MH, Derstine P, Oyesiku NM. et al. Resident away rotations allow adaptive neurosurgical training. Neurosurgery 2015; 76 (04) 421-425 , discussion 425–426
  • 15 Mooney J, Laskay NMB, Salehani A, Shannon CN, Rozzelle C. Postgraduate year 6 versus postgraduate year 7 neurosurgical chief year: a survey of residents and program directors. World Neurosurg 2023; 171: e679-e685
  • 16 Lister JR, Friedman WA, Murad GJ, Dow J, Lombard GJ. Evaluation of a transition to practice program for neurosurgery residents: creating a safe transition from resident to independent practitioner. J Grad Med Educ 2010; 2 (03) 366-372
  • 17 Haji FA, Steven DA. Readiness for practice: a survey of neurosurgery graduates and program directors. Can J Neurol Sci 2014; 41 (06) 721-728
  • 18 Babu MA, Liau LM, Meyer FB. Recognized focused practice: does sub-specialty designation offer value to the neurosurgeon?. PLoS One 2017; 12 (Suppl. 12) e0189105
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Fig. 1 Chart showing the current practice setting of the respondents. Others, those pursuing fellowships at the time of survey.
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Fig. 2 Chart showing the relevance of various aspects of training in everyday practice and its perceived satisfaction level. The median scores graded on a Likert scale from least to most (0 to 10).
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Fig. 3 Chart showing the relative exposure of various subspecialties during residency.
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Fig. 4 Chart showing additional fellowship programs pursued by the respondents.