Shaping perceptions and inspiring future neurosurgeons : the value of a hands-on simulated aneurysm clipping workshops at a student-organized neurosurgical conference

Ashraf, Mohammad and Ismahel, Hassan and Shah, Devansh and Middleton, Eilidh Elizabeth Stewart and Gardee, Ameerah and Chaudhary, Attika and Salloum, Laulwa Al and Evans, Vivienne and Nelson-Hughes, Meaghan and Cheng, Yihui and Goonewardena, Eranga and Ball, Emma and Minnis, Meghan and Anyaegbunam, Gregory Kosisochukwu and Salim, Omar and Bashir, Aneesah Bashir Binti Azad and Hay, Sophie and Ismahel, Nadeen and Ismahel, Sophia and Mackenzie, Ian and Wang, Wenxing and Shew, Wenmiao and Wynne, Simon and Doherty, John and Hassan, Samih and Brown, Jennifer and Bhattathiri, Parameswaran and Davidson, Amy and Alakandy, Likhith (2024) Shaping perceptions and inspiring future neurosurgeons : the value of a hands-on simulated aneurysm clipping workshops at a student-organized neurosurgical conference. Asian Journal of Neurosurgery, 19 (1). pp. 26-36. ISSN 2248-9614 (https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-1778634)

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Abstract

Objective Early exposure to niche specialities, like neurosurgery, is essential to inform decisions about future training in these specialities. This study assesses the impact of a hands-on simulated aneurysm clipping workshop on medical students' and junior doctors' perceptions of neurosurgery at a student-organized neurosurgical conference. Methods Ninety-six delegates were sampled from a hands-on workshop involving hydrogel three-dimensional printed aneurysms clipping using surgical microscopes. Consultant neurosurgeons facilitated the workshop. Changes in delegates' perceptions of neurosurgery were collected using Likert scale and free-text responses postconference. Results Postworkshop, 82% of participants reported a positive impact on their perception of neurosurgery. Thematic analysis revealed that delegates valued the hands-on experience, exposure to microsurgery, and interactions with consultant neurosurgeons. Thirty-six of the 96 delegates (37.5%) expressed that the workshop dispelled preconceived fears surrounding neurosurgery and improved understanding of a neurosurgeon's day-to-day tasks. Several delegates initially apprehensive about neurosurgery were now considering it as a career. Conclusion Hands-on simulated workshops can effectively influence medical students' and junior doctors' perceptions of neurosurgery, providing valuable exposure to the specialty. By providing a valuable and immersive introduction to the specialty, these workshops can help to dispel misconceptions, fears, and apprehensions associated with neurosurgery, allowing them to consider the specialty to a greater degree than before. This study of a one-time workshop cannot effectively establish its long-term impact on said perceptions, however.

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