Current US med student who's been gunning neurosurgery since day 1 with no doubts about applying neurosurgery. I come from a first responder background and I recently started volunteering on a SWAT team as a medic as an extracurricular activity. The team's medical director is an ortho attending who also serves as an armed medic on the team. He does this on top of his full time academic ortho position. Not sure about his exact hours but he attends monthly training and goes to callouts/warrants when he can.

This seems to be fairly common nowadays for EM docs, orthopods, and trauma surgeons, but I haven't heard of any neurosurgeons doing this. I'm sure this is due to the nature of the job (longer surgeries, more call/emergencies, fewer neurosurgeons), but it's also a much smaller sample size and there is likely some selection bias of the kinds of people who go into neurosurgery.

I have no illusions or plans of being able to pursue this as a side activity to any depth as a resident because training >>> all else. I'm also willing to drop this completely if it will interfere with my ability to be a good neurosurgeon. That said, does anyone have any insight into if it would be possible to do something similar to the ortho attending as a neurosrgery attending once you get some more control of your schedule?

For anyone looking for a very practically useful iPhone app, check out "Neurosurgery: What's the data?".  It requires a (very cheap) subscription but allows you to review all the Class 1 evidence on a subject in seconds.  Very helpful before pimp sessions. 

There are also similar apps in neuro-oncology, cerebrovascular, and spine, but the neurosurgery app includes all the subspecialty references.  the other apps are mainly meant for non-neurosurgeons (neuro-oncology, stroke neurology, ortho spine, etc).

there is a free online version as well:  go to whatsthedata.com and click on "Web Resource".

Anyone know how long WUSTL takes to pre-screen for aways?

Orthopedic Surgery/Neurosurgery Research Year Opportunity: Adult Spinal Deformity Research under Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Peter Passias at Duke University (Durham, NC). 

Please apply here by filling out the application below:
https://forms.gle/ZGzJ2rN62gx1oGA16

Taking applications until 3/15, but earlier submissions will be priority-reviewed. M3/M4/post-doc students preferred, prior research experience preferred/necessary. Thank you!

We all know Citow is number 2 and AlHefty is number 3 but who is number 1.

I'm about to graduate and in the process of speaking with recruiters/interviewing for jobs. What are good (or not so good) questions to ask (about the practice, hospital, compensation, benefits, etc) when interviewing and to whom would be most appropriate (hospital recruiter vs. neurosurgeons vs. admin, etc)?

Heard that Dr Byrne is leaving Rush for Mayo Jacksonville. Anyone have any insight as to why / how this is gonna affect the program??

Why do you think neurosurgery forums are so malignant?

It appears that everyone on these forums considers themselves to be in the top 1% of applicants. Furthermore, nearly every program, except for a select few, is deemed subpar. According to this perspective, if you’re not in a top 5 program, you have no chance of becoming a competent neurosurgeon.

When someone seeks advice about their application or future, the prevailing attitude is not to assist them but rather to berate them for their perceived lack of intelligence or strength.

Similarly, when discussing specific programs, people readily label them as “garbage,” even if they lack firsthand knowledge. If anyone dares to express positivity about a program, they are promptly dismissed as a disgruntled resident who didn’t match into a “top 5 program.”

The online culture within neurosurgery can be dishearteningly malignant. However, it’s worth noting that when you meet residents face-to-face at conferences and courses, they tend to be friendly and welcoming. They share common concerns and frustrations about their programs, just as you do.

Why can’t we be more collegial toward our current and future colleagues?

How many away rotations should we apply to per month?

Anyone hear anything? Where can we check?