Greek reflections on global neurosurgery

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Public Health
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• A global neurosurgical crisis affects both low-income and high-income countries.
• Limited access to neurosurgical services impacts vulnerable populations worldwide.
• Understanding national challenges provides insights into global health disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neurosurgical crisis within Greece.
• To identify specific challenges faced by social groups in accessing neurosurgical care in Greece.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the Greek health system structure.
• Examination of national census data.
• Review of neurosurgeon registries and the national health map.

Main Results:

• Socio-economic factors, language barriers, cultural differences, and geographical isolation contribute to the crisis.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing issues within the Greek health system.
• Inherent malfunctions within the Greek healthcare system are key drivers of the neurosurgical crisis.

Conclusions:

• Reorganizing the Greek health map and implementing telemedicine can alleviate the burden.
• Local reforms in Greece can inform global strategies for managing neurosurgical crises.
• A European taskforce could foster effective global solutions for neurosurgical services.