Neurosurgical training
A study demonstrated the high acceptance of augmented 360° VR videos as a valuable tool for early student neurosurgical education. While hands-on training remains indispensable, these videos promote conceptual knowledge, ignite interest in neurosurgery, and provide a much-needed orientation within the operating room. The incorporation of detailed explanations throughout the surgies with augmentation using superimposed elements, offers distinct advantages over simply observing live surgeries 1)
Virtual Reality in Neurosurgery included their utility as a supplement and augment for neuronavigation in the fields of diagnosis for complex vascular interventions, spine deformity correction, resident training, procedural practice, pain management, and rehabilitation of neurosurgical patients. These technologies have also shown promise in other area of neurosurgery, such as consent taking, training of ancillary personnel, and improving patient comfort during procedures, as well as a tool for training neurosurgeons in other advancements in the field, such as robotic neurosurgery.
Mishra et al. present the first review of the immense possibilities of VR in neurosurgery, beyond merely planning for neurosurgical procedures. The importance of VR and AR, especially in “social distancing” in neurosurgery training, for economically disadvantaged sections, for prevention of medicolegal claims and in pain management and rehabilitation, is promising and warrants further research 2).
Neurosurgeons undergo extensive education and training, typically requiring 7-8 years of postgraduate medical education, including medical school and residency. Many neurosurgeons also pursue additional fellowship training in subspecialties such as pediatric neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, or functional neurosurgery.
The Halstedian model, named after Dr. William Stewart Halsted, is an approach to surgical education and training that was developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.