Subjects and the Prospect of An Era of 5,000 Board Certified Neurosurgeons : An Inquiry based on the Current Activities of Japanese Neurosurgeons

Abstract

We discussed topics concerning Japanese neurosurgeons and their future prospects by analyzing the present circumstances facing them. For this purpose, we sent our questionnaire to all the current members of the Japan Neurosurgical Society. We received 2,515 replies, for a reply rate of 36.8%. The activities of the Japanese neurosurgeons that we analyzed can be broken down to : clinical work, research work, and eductional activity. From their results, 41.3% of the neurosurgeons are satisfied with their present circumstances. In contrast, 11.7% of the neurosurgeons surveyed are dissatisfied. The principal desire or the principal reasons of their dissatisfaction are 1)a desire to perform more operation, 2)a lack of time for research works, 3)a lock of cases for clinical research in one's own institute, and 4)too much time on dury. The annual number of surgeries performed is directly related to the degree of satisfaction. In general, the more operations performed, the higher the degree of satisfaction. The amount of clinical or basic research works appears to have no relation to the degree of satisfaction. Based on this study, we would like to propose some subjects for Japanese neurosurgeons and the Japan Neurosurgical Society to consider. The subjects are 1)the rearrangement of neurosurgery-related conferences, 2)the systematization of neurosurgery, 3)the spreading and authorizing of neurosurgery, 4)establishing medical networks for neurosurgical fields, 5)raising the unit cost of medical treatment, and 6)seeking an increase in wages for neurosurgeons. These subjects are for the advancement adequate neurosurgical treatment and for the Japan Neurosurgical Society Members' greater happiness.