Education and training of neurosurgeons in Europe started more than hundred years ago but were not well structured and only organized by individual institutions. After the Second World War, there were profound changes in Europe, politically with the Treaty of Rome that marked the start of what is now known as the European Union, and at the same time in the medical field by the founding of the UEMS, the European Union of Medical Specialists, which became responsible for the harmonization of the training of medical specialists in the member states of the EU. The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) was founded 1971. Right from the start and continuing now, the EANS took on the task to improve and harmonize neurosurgical training, in close cooperation with the UEMS. The three annual training courses, in a 4-year cycle, are an important event to establish this goal. Although progress has been made in the past few years, the current situation in terms of the unification of training of neurosurgical residents in Europe has much work remaining. The diversity of European countries, historical facts, different nationalities, and languages has caused the diversity and specificity of neurosurgical schools. Duty hour requirements, increasing expectations about attending involvement during surgery, and new curricular mandates have put programs under stress to ensure adequate training, in less time, in an environment of limited resident independence. As conceivable consequence neurosurgical trainees finish their residency with less practical experience, unable, or less likely to achieve competency in all areas of neurosurgery. The future must be based on increased subspecialization and teamwork. Effective use of novel educational tools, e.g., training models, simulators, and virtual reality, may serve to improve the quality and efficiency of resident education. Cooperation on a European level in the use of such modern teaching techniques will be needed, and it will help to establish further harmonization of neurosurgical training in Europe.
Neurosurgery education around the world: Europe
Sala, Francesco
;
2022-01-01
Abstract
Education and training of neurosurgeons in Europe started more than hundred years ago but were not well structured and only organized by individual institutions. After the Second World War, there were profound changes in Europe, politically with the Treaty of Rome that marked the start of what is now known as the European Union, and at the same time in the medical field by the founding of the UEMS, the European Union of Medical Specialists, which became responsible for the harmonization of the training of medical specialists in the member states of the EU. The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) was founded 1971. Right from the start and continuing now, the EANS took on the task to improve and harmonize neurosurgical training, in close cooperation with the UEMS. The three annual training courses, in a 4-year cycle, are an important event to establish this goal. Although progress has been made in the past few years, the current situation in terms of the unification of training of neurosurgical residents in Europe has much work remaining. The diversity of European countries, historical facts, different nationalities, and languages has caused the diversity and specificity of neurosurgical schools. Duty hour requirements, increasing expectations about attending involvement during surgery, and new curricular mandates have put programs under stress to ensure adequate training, in less time, in an environment of limited resident independence. As conceivable consequence neurosurgical trainees finish their residency with less practical experience, unable, or less likely to achieve competency in all areas of neurosurgery. The future must be based on increased subspecialization and teamwork. Effective use of novel educational tools, e.g., training models, simulators, and virtual reality, may serve to improve the quality and efficiency of resident education. Cooperation on a European level in the use of such modern teaching techniques will be needed, and it will help to establish further harmonization of neurosurgical training in Europe.
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