AUTHOR=Dada Olaoluwa Ezekiel , Ooi Setthasorn Zhi Yang , Bukenya George William , Kenfack Yves Jordan , Le Chi , Ohonba Efosa , Adeyemo Emmanuel , Narain Kapil , Awad Ahmed K. , Barrie Umaru , Sichimba Dawin , Ogunfolaji Oloruntoba , Kitonga Lilian Mwende , Oriaku Adaeze Juanita , Bamimore Michael A. , Okor Douglas Emeka , Rominiyi Ola 

TITLE=Evaluating the Impact of Neurosurgical Rotation Experience in Africa on the Interest and Perception of Medical Students Towards a Career in Neurosurgery: A Continental, Multi-Centre, Cross-Sectional Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Surgery

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/surgery/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2022.766325

DOI=10.3389/fsurg.2022.766325

ISSN=2296-875X

ABSTRACT=Objective: Africa has the second highest neurosurgical workforce deficit globally and many medical students in Africa lack exposure to the field. This study aims to assess the impact of a neurosurgical rotation during medical school in shaping the perception and interest of students towards a career in neurosurgery.

Methods: A Google form e-survey was disseminated to African clinical medical students between February 21st and March 20th, 2021. Data on exposure and length of neurosurgical rotation and perception of, and interest in, neurosurgery were collected. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and adjusted logistic regression modelling. 

Results: Data was received from 539 students in 30 African countries (30/54, 55.6%). The majority of participants were male and were from Kenya. Most students had undertaken a formal neurosurgery rotation, of which the majority reported a rotation length of four weeks or less. Students who had more than four weeks of neurosurgical exposure were more likely to express a career interest in neurosurgery than those without (odds ratio [OR] = 1.75, p<0.04) and men were more likely to express interest in a neurosurgical career compared to women (OR = 3.22, p<0.001), after adjusting for other factors.

Conclusion: Neurosurgical experience is a key determinant in shaping the perception and interest of medical students towards a career in neurosurgery. Our findings support the need: i) for a continent-wide, standardized curriculum guide to neurosurgical rotations, and; ii) to advocate for gender inclusivity in education and policy-making efforts across the African continent.