• Aiman Idrees, Aqeeb Ur Rehman, Muhammad Asim Mehmood, Bhavya Pahwa, Aleenah Mohsin, Taha Shaikh, Eshika Kumari Jesrani, and Bipin Chaurasia.
• King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan.
• World Neurosurg. 2024 Mar 1; 183: e598e602e598-e602.

BackgroundA low neurosurgeon-to-patient ratio persists in many developing nations including Pakistan. We aimed to investigate the perceptions of medical students regarding neurosurgery as a first step toward recognizing this problem and potentially suggesting ways to solve it.MethodsA questionnaire was designed comprising 3 sections: 1) demographics, 2) possible challenges and perceptions regarding neurosurgery as a profession, and 3) general perceptions about neurosurgery. Statistical analysis was conducted, and a P value < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsOf 387 responses received, 44.4% of male respondents and 50.6% of female respondents revealed intent to consider opting for neurosurgery as a profession. Regression analysis revealed inadequate dexterity (P = 0.001) and inability to carry out private practice (P = 0.002) were responsible for increased likelihood of opting out of neurosurgery by medical students.ConclusionsThis study identified the perceptions that may influence the decision to pursue neurosurgical training among physicians early in their careers. Interventions including availability of day care facilities for children and introduction of curricula to promote neurosurgical knowledge in clinical training are expected to encourage the decision to pursue neurosurgery among medical students in Pakistan.Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

19 keywords...

hide…