title: The cognitive and technical skills impact of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons simulation curriculum on neurosurgical trainees at the 2013 Neurological Society of India meeting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of a simulation-based educational curriculum of 4 modules on neurosurgical trainees at the Neurological Societies of India annual meeting, which was held in Mumbai, India, in December 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed a microanastomosis, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical fusion (PCF), and durotomy repair and their corresponding objective assessment scales. Each module was divided into 3 components: 1) a before didactic cognitive knowledge and technical skills testing, 2) a didactic lecture, and 3) an after didactic cognitive knowledge and technical skills testing. We compared the trainees' cognitive and technical scores from the before and after testing phases. Wilcoxon sum rank test was used to test statistical significance. The incorporation of a simulation-based educational program into neurosurgical education curriculum has faced a number of barriers. It is essential to develop and assess the success and feasibility of simulation-based modules on neurosurgical residents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The knowledge test median scores increased from 60%, 69% to 72%, and 60% to 80%, 85%, 90%, and 75% on the microanastomosis, ACDF, PCF, and durotomy modules, respectively (P < 0.05). The practical hands-on scores increased from 45%, 45% to 60%, and 65% to 62%, 68%, 81%, and 70% on the microanastomosis, ACDF, PCF, and durotomy modules, respectively (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our course suggests that a simulation-based neurosurgery curriculum has the potential to enhance resident knowledge and technical proficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Samer G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Zammar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological surgery, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: Youssef J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hamade
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological surgery, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: Rami James N
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Aoun
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Najib E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: El Tecle
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX.
authors.forename: Tarek Y
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: El Ahmadieh
authors.affiliation: Barrow Neurological Institute of Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ.
authors.forename: P David
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Adelson
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
authors.forename: Shekar N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kurpad
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Harrop
authors.affiliation: Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Schaumburg, IL.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgical Clinics, Kamayani Hospital, Agra, India.
authors.forename: Ramesh C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Vedantam
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rajshekhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
authors.forename: Ali R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Rezai
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital and Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Suresh K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sahkla
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India.
authors.forename: Mithun G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Sattur
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Nathan R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Selden
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Ashwini D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Sharan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI.
authors.forename: Daniel K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Resnick
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological surgery, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Phoenix, AZ. Electronic address: bendok.bernard@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Bernard R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Bendok
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003479:Curriculum; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000601:surgery; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000193:education; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*
keywords: ACDF; Durotomy; Education; Microanastomosis; PCF; Resident; Simulation; Spine; Vascular