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Published on: November 19, 2017
Development of an Educational Curriculum for the Surgical Implantation of DBS Systems
David Bieber1, Rany T Abdallah2, Alaa Ab-Elsayed3
1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA.
Background:
Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) systems are implanted for movement disorders, epilepsy, and psychiatric conditions. Neurologic surgery remains the only discipline credentialed to implant DBS devices, although significant practice variation exists, partly due to heterogeneous training. The North American Neuromodulation Society (NANS) education committee offers a granular recommendation for the progression of an early learner through the practitioner level. It is contextualized within the six-core competency rubric for the surgical implantation of DBS devices.
Materials And Methods:
Guided by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies, a subcommittee of the NANS education committee met virtually and in-person over two years to develop a curriculum. The subcommittee used a consensus approach and an evidence-based development strategy; once completed, the NANS board approved the DBS curriculum.
Results:
The DBS curriculum was developed for implanting surgeons and neurosurgical trainees. The table was vertically oriented into the six ACGME educational core competencies. A horizontal progression across 57 competencies defines expected skills for early learners, advanced learners, and independent practitioners.
Conclusions:
DBS devices are implanted by neurologic surgeons; education variability in acquired surgical skills and judgment may influence practice variation. This DBS curriculum presents consensus recommendations for competency progression within the six core competencies of the ACGME.
