title: Neurosurgery certification in member societies of the WFNS: Europe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To objectively compare the complexity and diversity of the certification process in Neurological Surgery in European member societies of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The attention of this study centers on Europe. We provide here a subgroup analysis based on the responses provided to a 13-item survey. The data received were analyzed and three regional complexity scores (RCS) were designed. To compare national board experience as well as eligibility requirements to access the certification process and obligatory nature of the examinations, a RCS Organizational score was created (RCS-O, 20 points maximum). To analyze the complexity of the examination a RCS Components score was designed (RCS-C, 20 points maximum). The sum of both is presented in a Global RCS score (RCS-G). In addition, a descriptive summary of the certification process per responding society is also provided.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the data provided by our RCS system, the highest RCS-G was obtained by the United Kingdom (19/40 points) followed by European Association of Neurosurgical Societies, Poland, and Sweden (16/40 points each), Portugal (15/40 points), and Switzerland (14/40 points). The experience from these leading countries should be of value to all countries of the European Union.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA. jagascot@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gasco
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Ian E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: McCutcheon
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008007:Licensure, Medical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D013044:Specialty Boards / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends