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Experience of a fellowship in spinal surgery: a quantitative analysis
Wojciech Konczalik1, Sherief Elsayed, Bronek Boszczyk
1University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK, wojtekonczalik@gmail.com.
Summary
Completing a formal spine fellowship significantly enhances surgeons' self-reported competency in managing spinal conditions. This training benefits both orthopaedic and neurosurgeons, improving care for diverse spinal pathologies.
Area of Science:
- Spine Surgery
- Surgical Education
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Background:
- The increasing complexity of spinal pathology necessitates specialized surgical training.
- Assessing the impact of formal spine fellowships on surgeon competency is crucial for patient safety and efficient healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the self-reported competency of spine surgeons with and without a 1-year fellowship.
- To compare competency levels between orthopaedic and neurosurgeons post-fellowship.
Main Methods:
- An online questionnaire with 60 questions was distributed to AOSpine Europe members.
- Data was collected from 289 respondents, comprising orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and unspecified surgeons.
Main Results:
- Surgeons who completed a 1-year spine fellowship reported higher competency, particularly in theoretical and practical knowledge of spinal deformity management.
- Significant differences in managing various elective and emergent spinal conditions were observed between fellowship-trained and non-fellowship-trained surgeons.
- No significant competency difference was found between orthopaedic and neurosurgeons.
Conclusions:
- Formal spine fellowships, ideally with structured curricula, are recommended to ensure comprehensive and safe management of spinal conditions.
- Standardized fellowship training can enhance surgeon confidence and proficiency across the spectrum of spinal pathology.
