{"id":"de65b8aa-09a0-42a2-a7e4-bbf865fa5941","slug":"ins-and-outs-in-deciding-a-future-career-in-neurosurgery-a-medical-students-perspective","title":"Ins and outs in deciding a future career in neurosurgery: A medical student’s perspective","authors":["Jaafer AbdulWahid","Mustafa Ismail","Mohammad S. Al-Mosawy","Alkawthar M. Abdulsada","Teeba A. Al-Ageely","Samer S. Hoz"],"abstract":"Background: Choosing a future specialty for medical students is challenging, particularly in neurosurgery, which is associated with high levels of stress and burnout. Factors influencing this decision include educational experiences, mentorship, and exposure to the field. Students often express interest in neurosurgery due to its intellectual challenges, patient impact, and research opportunities, while concerns about work-life balance and competitiveness persist. Summary: The article explores the journey of medical students considering a career in neurosurgery, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and early exposure to the specialty. Through programs like the 'Hoz Neurosurgery Mentorship,' students gain insights into the realities of neurosurgery, which helps them reflect on their personal and professional goals. The decision-making process is portrayed as a complex interplay of curiosity, wonder, and philosophical considerations about life and career. Conclusion: Neurosurgery is recognized as one of the most demanding medical specialties, requiring a thoughtful decision-making process for aspiring practitioners. The journey to this decision involves navigating various challenges and questions that arise from both personal introspection and professional exposure. Ultimately, early engagement and mentorship can significantly shape students' perspectives and aspirations in neurosurgery. Keywords: neurosurgery, medical education, mentorship, career decision, burnout, medical students, professional development","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/de65b8aa-09a0-42a2-a7e4-bbf865fa5941/featured/hero-cropped-1781560762357.jpg","publishDate":"2022-11-11T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_884_2022","categories":["Socio-Economics, Politics, and Medicine","Editorial"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/de65b8aa-09a0-42a2-a7e4-bbf865fa5941/pdf"}