Neurosurgical training in LMIC: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors discuss the evolution of neurosurgical education in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) with an emphasis on the impact of colonialism. Also, they discuss training models and curricula across Africa, Asia, and Latin America highlighting the contributions of the Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery, the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, and regional training bodies. Furthermore, they discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neurosurgical training. They equally identify opportunities and challenges in contemporary neurosurgical education. Regarding the challenges, they propose solutions based on existing examples, and where examples do not exist they suggest ideas for implementation. Our findings suggest that LMIC neurosurgical education has evolved rapidly over the past three decades and has room to improve even further. Every challenge the authors identified presents an opportunity for growth at the global, regional, national, institutional, and individual levels. The review of LMIC neurosurgical education history, challenges, and opportunities provides stakeholders with an insight into potential collaborations and contributions.