Surgical education: the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh specialty examination in surgical neurology.

The origins, concept and structure of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh specialty examination in surgical neurology are described. The format and content of the examination are compared with the FRACS Part II examination in neurosurgery. Differences in status with respect to recognition of these two diplomas as specialty qualifications are described. The place of the Edinburgh specialty examination in the current and future training and accreditation of neurosurgeons in the United Kingdom is discussed by the authors, an examinee and an examiner in the specialty Fellowship examination.