Implementing a Virtual Course to Introduce Neurosurgical Training for Early and Pre-Medical Students

The Jefferson Virtual Neurosurgery Program has introduced a course aimed at providing pre-medical and early medical students with an immersive, and low-stakes educational experience.

It allows students to explore their neurosurgical interests without the immediate pressure of committing to sub-internships, helping them build a solid foundation of skills and knowledge that will be invaluable during neurosurgical rotations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a virtual neurosurgery course focused on skull base surgery and related neurosurgical concepts.

A total of 67 students filled out the pre-survey, 31 completed the post-survey, and 17 participants completed both assessing their familiarity with various neurosurgical topics. The differences in mean responses were analyzed using a paired two-sample t-test, with p-values less than 0.05 considered significant.

The scoring system used in the surveys ranged from 0 to 5:

• 0: Unfamiliar: Completely new or unknown.

• 1: Vaguely Aware: Heard of it, but very limited understanding.

• 2: Basic Knowledge: General grasp, lacking detail.

• 3: Moderate Understanding: Good with main concepts, not all nuances.

• 4: Proficient: Strong grasp of major theories and ideas.

• 5: Expert Knowledge: In-depth, comprehensive understanding; can explain/teach.

Significant improvements were observed across all topics. For example, familiarity with the educational path to neurosurgery increased from a pre-course average of 2.76 to a post-course average of 3.76 (p = 0.0082). Awareness of subspecialties improved from 3.65 to 2.53 (p = 0.0024), and understanding of vascular neurosurgery cases rose from 1.82 to 2.94 (p = 0.0141). Knowledge of craniotomy for tumor resection saw a notable increase from 1.82 to 3.17 (p = 0.0009), and familiarity with spinal fusion improved from 1.59 to 2.94 (p = 0.0008). Other areas, such as epilepsy surgery and the daily life of a neurosurgery resident, also showed significant gains.

These results underscore the importance and effectiveness of the Jefferson Virtual Neurosurgery Program's course in providing early exposure to neurosurgery, helping students build a solid foundation in the field. The case-based approach, focusing on real-life scenarios, further enhances the learning experience, making it more engaging and impactful.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
07. Februar 2025