Questionnaire survey for boarad certified neurosurgeons

Abstract

The authors reported the 10-year change in board certified neurosurgeons as recorded by the Japan Neurosurgical Society. The number of doctors increased, including those who acquired certification by the Japan Stroke Society, the Japanese Society of Neuroendovascular Therapy, and Neurospinal Society of Japan as well as our certification. As for subspecialty domains, “Brain tumor, 'Cerebrovascular, “Spine”, Pediatrics, Function”, and “Trauma decreased, but “Neuroendovascular”,Neuroendoscope, Epilepsy”, Rehabilitation”, and “Emergency/Neuro Critical Care” all increased. The redefinition of certified neurosurgeons that occured in 1999 may have influenced this phenome¬non. Many respondents complained of severe working conditions and overtime that was causing death of Karoshi”. The decrease in new members and examinees in addition to this environment of overwork makes us feel anxious about the futures of our conventional neurosurgical treatment system. A move to centralize institutions and trainees, provide a more sophisticated rotation scheme, and create an intensified and efficient research and training program should be implemented.