title: National Perspectives on the Training of Neurosurgery Residents in Stereotactic Radiosurgery.
abstract: Despite the critical role played by neurosurgeons in performing radiosurgery, neurosurgery residents in Canada have limited exposure to radiosurgery during their training. A survey of neurosurgery residents and faculty along with radiation oncology faculty was conducted to analyze perspectives regarding incorporating formal radiosurgery training into the neurosurgery residency curriculum Methods: An online survey platform was employed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize center and respondent characteristics. Categorical variables were compared using odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. The chi-squared test was utilized to assess statistical significance. A value of p<0.05 was considered significant Results: The response rate was 31% (119/381); 87% (102/119) of respondents were from the neurosurgical specialty and 13% (17/119) from radiation oncology. Some 46% of residents (18/40) were "very uncomfortable" with radiosurgery techniques, and 57% of faculty (42/73) believed that dedicated radiosurgery training would be beneficial though impractical. No respondents felt that "no training" would be beneficial. A total of 46% of residents (19/41) felt that this training would be beneficial and that time should be taken away from other rotations, if needed, while 58% of faculty (42/73) and 75% (28/41) of residents believed that either 1 or 1-3 months of time dedicated to training in radiosurgery would suffice Conclusions: Canadian neurosurgeons are actively involved in radiosurgery. Despite residents anticipating a greater role for radiosurgery in their future, they are uncomfortable with the practice. With the indications for radiosurgery expanding, this training gap can have serious adverse consequences for patients. Considerations regarding the incorporation and optimal duration of dedicated radiosurgery training into the Canadian neurosurgery residency curriculum are necessary.
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Neurosurgery,Toronto Western Hospital,University Health Network,Toronto,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mansouri
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Neurosurgery,Toronto Western Hospital,University Health Network,Toronto,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Witiw
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Neurosurgery,Toronto Western Hospital,University Health Network,Toronto,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Jetan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Badhiwala
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Neurosurgery,Toronto Western Hospital,University Health Network,Toronto,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Farshad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nassiri
authors.affiliation: 3Section of Neurosurgery,Children's Hospital Winnipeg,University of Manitoba,Winnipeg,Manitoba,Canada.
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.affiliation: 4Division of Neurosurgery,The Hospital for Sick Children,University of Toronto,Toronto,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Abhaya V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: 1Division of Neurosurgery,Toronto Western Hospital,University Health Network,Toronto,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Gelareh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zadeh
authors.affiliation: 5Department of Neurosurgery,NYU Langone Medical Center,New York University,New York,New York,United States.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kondziolka
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003479:Curriculum / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D000069471:Neurosurgeons / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D009862:Online Systems; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Education; neurosurgery; radiosurgery; residency; survey