Rafka Habib Emil, Elahi Cyrus, Vaughan Kerry A, Nico Elsa, Giraldo Juan P, Agwu Chibueze I, Roofeh Gabriella N, Attebery Jonah E, Wilson David A, Kaur Ravneet, Rosseau Gail, Sonntag Volker K H, Spetzler Robert F, Lawton Michael T, Ellegala Dilantha B
Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Barrow Global, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Neurosurgery. 2025 Apr 14. doi: 10.1227/neu.0000000000003434.
This article provides an overview of the Barrow Neurological Institute international observership and visiting scholars program, one of the oldest and largest international neurosurgical observership programs in the world, and discusses its past, present, and future directions. Background information was collected from the program manager and through one-on-one interviews with the program's founders and current chairman. A survey was administered to past observers to capture feedback. Interviews were summarized, descriptive statistical analysis was performed on quantitative survey data, and a thematic analysis was completed for qualitative data. Since 2006, 686 neurosurgeons, residents, and medical students from more than 64 countries have traveled to Barrow Neurological Institute for an observership. Five hundred and seventy (86.2%) of 661 observers with historical data on country of origin came from high-income countries or upper middle-income countries, 91 (13.7%) from lower middle-income countries, and none from low-income countries (LICs). Of 94 observers who completed the feedback survey, 67 (71%) specialized in cerebrovascular and 21 (22%) in spine. Most observers (70%) were self-funded. Cost (38%) and time (25%) were considered the greatest barriers to observership. Despite the barriers, 93% would recommend the observership to a colleague. Future aspirations for the program include fully funded observerships geared toward neurosurgeons from lower middle-income countries and LICs. Next steps for the program are better inclusion of observers from lower middle-income countries and LICs and expanded research and mentorship opportunities. Future work should investigate the effect of observership programs on career path and "brain drain."
本文概述了巴罗神经学研究所国际观摩实习及访问学者项目，该项目是世界上最古老、规模最大的国际神经外科观摩实习项目之一，并探讨了其过去、现在及未来的发展方向。背景信息收集自项目负责人以及与项目创始人及现任主席的一对一访谈。对过去的观摩实习生进行了一项调查以获取反馈。对访谈内容进行了总结，对定量调查数据进行了描述性统计分析，对定性数据完成了主题分析。自2006年以来，来自64个以上国家的686名神经外科医生、住院医师和医学生前往巴罗神经学研究所进行观摩实习。在有原籍国历史数据的661名观摩实习生中，570名（86.2%）来自高收入国家或中高收入国家，91名（13.7%）来自中低收入国家，没有来自低收入国家的。在94名完成反馈调查的观摩实习生中，67名（71%）专攻脑血管疾病，21名（22%）专攻脊柱疾病。大多数观摩实习生（70%）是自费的。费用（38%）和时间（25%）被认为是观摩实习的最大障碍。尽管存在这些障碍，93%的人会向同事推荐该观摩实习项目。该项目未来的愿望包括为来自中低收入国家和低收入国家的神经外科医生提供全额资助的观摩实习机会。该项目的下一步是更好地纳入来自中低收入国家和低收入国家的观摩实习生，并扩大研究和指导机会。未来的工作应调查观摩实习项目对职业道路和“人才外流”的影响。
