The evolutional aspect of change in the training conditions of neurosurgical residents

Abstract

Background: The Korean Neurosurgical Society’s 60th anniversary in 2022 compelled us to reflect on the changes within the education programs of neurosurgery residents. Traditional apprenticeship has witnessed a structural shift to manual-based education, and content has transitioned from time-based to competency-based education, driven further by the implementation of the 80-hour work-per-week regulation.Current Concepts: Despite reduced training hours, neurosurgery residents strive to gain more surgical participation and research opportunities while working 80 hours per week. To address this conflicting scenario, the Korean Neurosurgical Society implemented proactive measures to enhance resident education. This included the development of a competency-based training curriculum and guidelines for supervising physicians to prepare residents with the essential skills for independence. Additionally, evaluation guidelines and feedback mechanisms were established to provide objective assessments and facilitate self-improvement. Establishing operational guidelines and developing an e-portfolio would help minimize variations in educational effects among residents.Discussion and Conclusion: Failure to adapt to the changing environment, including the 80-hour work week, by maintaining outdated training methods would result in stagnation or a decline in the efficiency of resident education. Therefore, providing a unified educational curriculum and ensuring sustainable, high-quality training according to the evaluation systems of the Korean Neurosurgical Society is essential. This curriculum must be reviewed on an ongoing basis to recognize the society’s expertise and develop educational policies based on scientific evidence and the opinions of society members.