{"id":"56949c23-582a-428a-8287-51a75cff1732","slug":"nurturing-neurosurgical-dreams-overcoming-challenges-for-medical-students-in-resource-limited-settings-globally","title":"Nurturing neurosurgical dreams – Overcoming challenges for medical students in resource-limited settings globally","authors":["Mubarak Jolayemi J. Mustapha","Ahmed Muthana","James Adedoyin","Samer S. Hoz"],"abstract":"Background: Global neurosurgery focuses on developing neurosurgical services in low- and middle-income countries, which face significant challenges due to a lack of infrastructure and resources. These regions, particularly in Africa, experience a neurosurgical workforce deficit that adversely affects surgical capacity and patient care. The recruitment of medical students into neurosurgery is critical to address this shortage and improve healthcare outcomes. Summary: Medical students in resource-limited settings encounter various challenges that deter them from pursuing careers in neurosurgery, including cultural biases, lack of mentorship, and insufficient educational opportunities. Strategies to overcome these barriers include enhancing career development resources, establishing mentorship programs, and providing observership opportunities. These initiatives aim to increase exposure to neurosurgery and encourage more students to enter the specialty. Conclusion: Addressing the challenges faced by aspiring neurosurgeons in resource-constrained environments is essential for nurturing future talent in the field. Implementing supportive strategies can significantly improve access to neurosurgical education and career opportunities, ultimately benefiting healthcare systems in these regions. Keywords: neurosurgery, medical education, resource-limited settings, career development, mentorship, Africa, workforce deficit, medical students","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/placeholders/specialty/socio-economics-politics-and-medicine.png","publishDate":"2024-08-02T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_344_2024","categories":["Socio-Economics, Politics, and Medicine","Letter to the Editor"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/13023/SNI-15-269.pdf"}