title: Experience of a fellowship in spinal surgery: a quantitative analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of our paper was to ascertain the self-reported competency level of surgeons who had completed a 1-year spine fellowship versus those who had not. Our secondary objective was to determine whether there was any difference between orthopaedic and neurosurgeons.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 60 question online questionnaire was provided to AOSpine Europe members for completion online.
  
  
  RESULTS
  289 members provided a response, of which 64% were orthopaedic surgeons and 31% neurosurgeons (5% did not specify). Eighty (28%) had completed a 1-year fellowship. Theoretical and practical knowledge of the management of spinal deformity was the greatest difference seen upon completing a fellowship. Multiple elective and emergent conditions were demonstrated to have a significant difference upon completion of a fellowship. There was no difference between orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to provide an efficient and safe service covering the broad spectrum of spinal pathology, a formal spine fellowship, ideally with a formal curriculum, should be considered.
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK, wojtekonczalik@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Konczalik
authors.forename: Sherief
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elsayed
authors.forename: Bronek
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boszczyk
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005060:Europe; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006801:Humans; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000193:education*; D057566:Self Report; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires