Education for Residents and Young Neurosurgeons in Neurosurgical Emergency in Japan

Abstract

  It is important for residents in emergency neurosurgical care to experience a variety of common presentations such as trauma or stroke. However, the current postgraduate medical education system in Japan cannot provide sufficient opportunity to educate these residents. A similar phenomenon is also seen in the neurosurgical residency program, especially at some small‒scale hospitals. Our domestic underpopulation crisis will likely worsen this situation. Therefore, an efficient program to educate residents with a smaller number of clinical cases is needed. In order to respond effectively to this situation, the program should not be executed at each institution, but implement measures involving entire districts or the entire country. Medical clinical instructors must attend lectures on effective instruction. Coaching is an effective method of clinical instruction, but may have different effects depending on the skill levels of the residents. Teaching is more appropriate than coaching for trainees with a low skill level. It is crucial that both residents and instructors make every effort to improve their skills and enjoy teaching and learning together in the residency program.