Medical Students About Neurosurgical Disease example essay topic

In order to assist deans, curriculum committees and faculty members with the difficult task of adjudicating what must be known by medical students about neurosurgical disease, a Recommended Medical Student Core Curriculum in Neurological Surgery was developed. The Education Committee of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) called upon an eminent group of neurosurgical academicians to develop a core set of General Objectives and Outline of Topics representing areas judged to be important to all medical students in their future practice. The Recommended Core Curriculum was approved by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Executive Committee, the Joint Committee on Education of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (A ANS) and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), and the Joint Officers of these two largest professional neurosurgical organizations in North America representing more than 4,000 neurological surgeons. The objectives and topics listed below are meant as guidelines, highlighting the minimal breadth and depth of knowledge deemed necessary for any physician confronted with potential neurosurgical disease. It is recognized that some or all of these objectives and topics may currently be presented in a variety of formats or lectures or in clerkship rotations at many medical schools. This Core Curriculum does not intend to replace or modify these formats or media but rather seeks to list the scope of objectives and topics to be covered in the broader medical school curriculum.

Each school is encouraged to examine its curriculum and consider additions or modifications to meet minimal educational objectives in any format or medium. This material may also be used in the planning of clinical neuroscience or surgical specialty curricula. the individuals involved in the development of this document are solely responsible for any omissions or inaccuracies, and are cognizant of potential new knowledge which would call for revision and update of this core curriculum. Neurosurgeons have to: A. General Skills 1. To perform a competent neurological evaluation including relevant history and neurological examination. 2. To understand the fundamentals of x-ray and computerized (CT, MRI) imaging of the spine and head, including normal and common pathological entities.

3. To understand the clinical manifestations of acute and chronic intracranial hypertension, and principles of emergency management. B. Intracranial Disease 1. To recognize the spectrum of mild and severe head injury and to diagnose and initiate its management. 2. To understand the broad categories, presenting symptoms and management principles of brain tumors and abscesses, including indications for biopsy and surgical intervention.

3. To differentiate common headache syndromes with emphasis on recognition and diagnosis of sub arachnoid hemorrhage and intra cerebral hematoma, and their acute management. 4. To recognize presenting symptoms and signs of occlusive cerebrovascular disease, and general diagnostic and treatment strategies including indication for carotid surgery. C. Spinal Disease 1. To evaluate, diagnose and initiate acute management of spine fracture, dislocation and spinal cord injury. 2.

To evaluate and initiate management of spinal degenerative disc and disease, and to recognize neural compression syndromes and indications for surgical intervention. 3. To understand the broad categories of primary and metastatic neoplastic disease of the spine, common presenting symptoms and principles of acute management. D. Peripheral Nerve Disease 1. To diagnose and initiate the management of peripheral nerve injury and common nerve entrapment syndromes. E. Other Common Neurosurgical Problems 1. To identify signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus and spinal, and know the management options in children and adults.

2. To recognize surgically treatable pain syndromes, and understand the broad indications for surgical intervention for pain, movement disorders and epilepsy. As one can see the profession of neurosurgeon demands a very high education and level of competence, physical and mental abilities. But the reward is generous the average salary is close to $300,000

Bibliography

1) Richard H. Winn. You mans Neurological Surgery (Four Volume Set). W B Saunders; 2001 2) Greenberg.
S.H., Mark S. Greenberg. Handbook of Neurosurgery. Thieme Medical Publications; 2000 3) Thomas Lathrop Stedman (Editor).
Stedman's Neurology & Neurosurgery Words (Stedman's Wordbooks). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Publishers; 2003.