Last Updated on August 29, 2023
Neurosurgeons are medical doctors that diagnose and treat conditions related to the brain, spine, and other parts of your nervous system. They differ from neurologists in that they’re specifically trained and certified in the use of surgical treatments, whereas neurologists focus on other forms of treatment.
Because neurosurgeons are experts in the human nervous system, they also perform a wide variety of duties in addition to surgery. For instance, other health specialists such as emergency room doctors and neurologists often consult with neurosurgeons regarding their cases. Neurosurgeons also help evaluate and rehabilitate people with neurological conditions.
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What Does a Neurosurgeon Do?
There’s a myth that neurosurgeons spend all of their time in surgery. In reality, they have many other responsibilities. It can be hard to predict exactly what an appointment with a neurosurgeon will involve.
As some of the most experienced and highly trained specialists in medicine, neurosurgeons spend a great deal of time consulting with other doctors about various cases. They also have their own roster of cases, each with unique challenges. Not all of these cases will need surgery, though many likely will.
Neurosurgeons treat people with a range of neurological issues, such as:
- Lower back pain
- Peripheral nervous system disorders (issues with nerves that carry messages to and from the brain)
- Brain tumors
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Neurosurgeons use state-of-the-art imaging technologies to find the source of the problem. These include:
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG scan), used to find the source of seizures
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), used to create detailed pictures of the inside of the body
- Positron emission tomography (PET scan), often used to search for cancer
- Computed tomography (CT scan), a test that shows more detail than a standard X-ray
Once they know the source of the problem, your neurosurgeon can find a method to treat it effectively.
Education and Training
Neurosurgeons have one of the longest training periods of any doctor. Their training consists of:
- Four years of medical school
- A one-year internship
- Five to seven years of residency
- Often an additional year studying a subspecialty like pediatric neurosurgery
Additionally, future neurosurgeons must receive certification from the American Board of Neurological Surgery before they’re allowed to practice. Board certification requires an extensive period of both written and oral examination.
Reasons to see a neurosurgeon
There are many reasons why you might see a neurosurgeon. They include:
Meningitis
This is a serious infection of the outer part of your brain or spinal cord. Its symptoms are similar to those of a fever, but they last longer and are more severe. The specific surgical treatment needed for meningitis will depend on whether the infection is viral or bacterial.
Spinal disk herniation
Spinal disks are cushions that sit between your vertebrae. They prevent the bones of your back from rubbing against each other, which causes pain. Herniation occurs when the inner material of a disk swells and pushes through the outer membrane. Serious discomfort can result if spinal disks flatten or rupture. Most surgeries to treat spinal hernias are relatively quick operations that can be done in a single day.
Parkinson’s disease
This condition affects the part of your brain that controls movement. It can cause tremors, balance issues, and other problems. Most people with Parkinson’s disease are treated with medication, but some cases are more complicated. When the disease severely affects your quality of life, a neurosurgeon can implant an electrode that stimulates your brain and provides relief from symptoms.
Epilepsy
This central nervous system disorder causes seizures. There are several surgical procedures that neurosurgeons can use to treat epilepsy, such as laser ablation surgery (removing material via a laser) that targets specific lesions in the brain that cause seizures.
Best country for neurosurgery residency
1. Germany
Although there is a comparable duration of 4 to 6 years of neurosurgical residency across Europe, the content thereof varies widely. Specialist training in neurosurgery is not part of the “common trunk” structure but similar to those surgical specialties. It takes a minimum of 6 years; up to 12 months of training in other specialties are eligible.
The average pay for a Neurosurgeon is €311,398 a year and €150 an hour in Germany. The average salary range for a Neurosurgeon is between €186,907 and €490,393. On average, a Doctorate Degree is the highest level of education for a Neurosurgeon.
2. UK
The UK neurosurgical specialty training programme consists of eight training years from specialty trainee year 1 (ST1) to ST8. It is predominantly a “run through” specialty with no additional competitive step when a programme has been entered.
3. Switzerland
A medical residency is begun after an applicant has finished a medical school. Residents must spend three to eight years working at a hospital or other care institution studying by on-the-job experience.
Postgraduate training takes a minimum of 6 years. There are 2 distinct parts: basic training (2 years) and specialist training (4 years). Within these 6 years there is a minimum requirement of 4 years in general surgery (including 3 months of anesthesia and/or intensive care).
A person working in Doctor / Physician in Switzerland typically earns around 291,000 CHF per year. Salaries range from 107,000 CHF (lowest average) to 492,000 CHF (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
4. The Netherlands
Once enrolled in neurosurgical residency programme, you will start learning and performing neurosurgical procedures for 3 years. After 3 years, there will be an exit exam ,after passing it, you will be ready to start your career as a neurosurgeon.
In the Netherlands, training in general surgery requires 6 years. Candidates applying for the training in general surgery should have completed medical school. Foreign medical graduates from countries in the European community also are permitted to apply for surgical training in the Netherlands.
Pre-training requirements
The residency program is open to those who have completed six years of medical school. After these six years, graduates usually start working in a field they are interested in, most often employed by a municipal health service (GGD).
Best Neurosurgery Residency In Europe
- University College London (UCL), the UK
- University of Oxford, the UK
- University of Cambridge, the UK
- King’s College London, the UK
- Karolinska Institute, Sweden
- LMU Munich, Germany
- VU University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Heidelberg University, Germany
- University of Edinburgh, the UK
- University of Zurich, Switzerland
How To Become A Neurosurgeon In The UK
The management of neurosurgical patients requires excellent medical and surgical skills and a career in Neurosurgery offers many challenges and rewards. To train in Neurosurgery in the UK the usual route is:
- Medical degree leading to provisional then full registration with the General Medical Council.
- Some doctors from abroad may have to take the PLAB test prior to registering with the General Medical Council.
- 2 years of foundation jobs will then be undertaken. These may be four or six month jobs and are designed to provide general all-round medical and surgical experience.
- Application for neurosurgical training posts can then be made. All neurosurgical jobs in the UK are appointed centrally once a year. A separate central appointment process occurs in Ireland. The process takes place annually early in the year, hosted by the Yorkshire Deanery.
- The MRCS examination is usually taken two to three years after full registration
- Neurosurgical trainees progress through 3 phases of training (ST1 – ST8). This usually takes 8 years. The neurosurgical curriculum and more detail may be found on the ISCP website
- The specialty board examination in neurosurgery is usually taken after completing ST6.
- After completing training and passing the examination the specialist advisory committee will consider whether a trainee is competent to complete training. A recommendation is made via the JCST to the GMC or Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, and if a trainee is deemed competent, he or she will be placed on the specialist register and allowed to apply for a consultant job.
- Alternatively doctors who can show that they have completed similar training schemes and achieved the same competencies may apply to be placed on the specialist register directly to the GMC using the CESR (Certificate for Eligibility for Specialist Registration) route.
- Alternatively doctors who can show that they have completed similar training schemes and achieved the same competencies may apply to be placed on the specialist register directly to the GMC using the CESR (Certificate for Eligibility for Specialist Registration) route.
- Consultants are expected to continue developing their professional skills throughout their working lives.
Best neurosurgery residency in the us
1. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Since 1865, the University of Kentucky has emerged as a fantastic research-based public university. It aims to educate the youth of today, shaping their transformation into influential future leaders of the world.
The faculty at the University of Kentucky nurtures the students with thought-provoking education, in almost every thought of school. Medical education is another strong department at the University of Kentucky.
Neurosurgery is dealt with by the College of medicine at the University of Kentucky, provisioning research and education in clinical neurosurgery.
The specialty holds excellence for medical graduates, in many ways as:
- Trainee medical graduates are equipped with neurosurgery education through practical exposure.
- The College of Medicine holds affiliations with medical centers such as UK’s Children Hospital, Lexington Cooper Drive Medical Centre, Chandler Hospital and Samaritan Hospital. Practical training helps to foster medical students into effective neurosurgeons.
- Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit of 10 beds is linked with the Medical Centre of the University of Kentucky.
- Trainees are given rounds into the Intensive care unit, alternatively. This helps their training under critical neurosurgical conditions.
2. Yale University, New Haven, CT
The University of Yale is the most significant and dominant academic institutes, around the globe. Since its inception in 1701, the University of Yale has emerged as a global learning platform for local as well as aspiring international students from all the walks of life.
Yale School of Medicine covers the medical field under the global perspective of research-based medical explorations. The Department of Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine supports and imparts benefits to the young neurosurgeons in various aspects:
- Clinical practice, teaching opportunities and research prospects in neurosurgery to the young medical aspirants through Franklin Robinson Fellowship.
- Trainees have provisioned neurosurgery exposure in neurosurgery ailments of children as wells as adults.
- New Haven Yale Hospital is the largest flagship hospital in Connecticut which is partnered with Yale School of medicine and Department of Neurosurgery.
- As the neurosurgical facility provided at affiliated Hospitals in Connecticut deals both newly diagnosed and referred patients, students learn and practice the newly emerging as well as referred ailments and conditions.
3. Stanford University, Stanford, CA
With 2219 faculty members and 16430 students getting benefited, the Stanford University stands high and enlightened, from the last 125 years.
The Stanford Neurosurgery Department is considered as one of the best educational and research-based center of the United States.
It specializes in the provision of various advantages to the young neurosurgeons such as:
- The Stanford Neurosurgical Department is equipped with advanced machines and technologies that provide young neurosurgeons state of the art exposure to the current facilities.
- Every year, about 4,000 operations are carried out at the Neurosurgical Centre of Stanford University.
- Sufficient skills and experience are gained by the trainees under the supervisions of research faculty and 60 neurosurgeons.
- The United States first Stroke and Trauma Centres are associated with the Neurosurgery Stanford Centre. The privilege of association benefits the neurosurgery students by working in great infrastructure and skilled environment.
4. University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
The University of Miami holds eminent recognition as one of the top research-based universities in the US. With 11 colleges and more the 17,000 students of graduate and undergraduate levels, the University of Miami provides educations and knowledge in all the walks of life.
Almost $ 324 million are spent on different research-based projects per annum. The Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami deals the Neurosurgical Department.
It offers the trainees diverse array of benefits in the field as:
- Innovative techniques like minimum invasive spine surgery and FDA approved simulators are being employed at the Neurosurgery Surgical Centre of the Miller School of Medicine. This enhances the learning opportunities for the young aspirants in neurosurgery.
- Almost 5,000 surgeries are performed by the 20 internationally recognized and skilled neurosurgeons that provide learning chances for the young neurosurgeons.
- Under the Miami Project initiated in 1985, practical experiences are provided to neurosurgery scholars. Experimentation is performed on human subjects helping n development of better understanding and knowledge.
5. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
The University of Michigan is one of the leading and distinctive universities of Michigan offers more than 260 programs. About more than 19 schools and colleges collaboratively strive to shape the future of more than 17000 students from diverse fields and grades.
Neurosurgery department of Michigan Medicine offers a speciality in the field of neurosurgery to the competent doctors with a strong academic background. The Michigan Medicine holds exclusivity as:
- Neurosurgery residents are trained skilfully under the competent and proficient supervision of researchers and teachers. The trainees are closely monitored and guided based on the critical nature of the neurosurgery field.
- The Department offers programs in multiple neurosurgical courses with research-based education such as Endovascular Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Surgery, Functional Neurosurgery, Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery, and Peripheral Nerve Surgery.
- Residents are reserved from any clinical liabilities during the 4th and 5th years of their residency program. This is to ensure the focus of the residents on the academics enhancing their background knowledge and concepts.
