1. NEUROSURGICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM: APPRAISAL AFTER 25 YEARS
Professor Walid Maani
Jordan University Hospital
and Medical School

2. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In 1975 Jordan had:
2 full time neurosurgeons
1 part time neurosurgeon
In 1975 Jordan had one neurosurgical facility
In 1975 Jordan had no neurosurgical private sector

3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In 2008 Jordan has:
47 full time neurosurgeons
25 neurosurgeons in training locally
10 training abroad
In 2008 Jordan has 5 neurosurgical facilities in the public sector
In 2008 Jordan has a thriving neurosurgical private sector

4. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Before 1974, Jordanians traveled to Lebanon and Egypt for a PID
Some surgeries were performed by one neurosurgeon who came to Amman twice a month
In 2008, hardly any Jordanian travels abroad for neurosurgical management
In 2008, Arab patients came to Jordan for medical treatment

5. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
By 1978 there were:
One American trained neurosurgeon
Three British trained neurosurgeons
One German trained neurosurgeon

6. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
By 1978 there were:
One CT (EMI)
30 neurosurgical beds
2 neurosurgical public facilities

7. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
By 2008 there were:
100 CT machines
30 MRI machines
2 PET scanners
2 PET-CT scanners
120 neurosurgical beds in public facilities
100 neurosurgical beds in private facilities
5 neurosurgical public facilities

8. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Before 1984 there was no training in neurosurgical practice in Jordan.

9. THE FIRST NEUROSURGICAL TRAINING PROGRAM
Introduced in 1984 at the University of Jordan
Managed by the School Of Graduate Studies
Carried out at the Jordan University Hospital
Ends by award of the M.Sc. in Neurosurgery

10. THE PROGRAM Requirements
A Batchelor degree of Medicine from a recognized university
An average (GPA) of 75%
Must have completed one year internship
Must pass a special written examination in the four major branches of medicine
Must satisfy a committee through an interview

11. THE PROGRAM Format A 6 years program (PGY1- PGY6)
Must pass each year with an average of 70%
Must pass the final year with a cumulative average of 75%
Trainees leave the program if they score <70% in any year
If a trainee scores <75% cumulative average in the final year he is on probation for one more year

12. THE PROGRAM
Structure
The first year (PGY1) is spent in general surgery
The second year (PGY2) is spent in allied neurological sciences:
Adult neurology
Pediatric neurology
Neuro - pathology
Neuro - radiology
Neuro - ophthalmology
Neuro - intensive care

13. THE PROGRAM
Structure
The third to the fifth years (PGY3-PGY5) are clinical neurosurgery
The sixth year (PGY6) is spent as Chief Resident

14. THE PROGRAM Evaluation Formal written examination Oral examination*
Clinical examination*
Long cases
Short cases
*The clinical and oral examinations are conducted by local and external examiners

15. THE PROGRAM Activities Daily morning reports Once every week:
Inter-departmental meeting
Basic neuroscience seminar (3PGY)
Special topic seminar (4PGY)
Once every two weeks:
Journal club (5PGY)
Mortality morbidity meeting (6PGY)

16. THE PROGRAM Activities Daily morning round Closing evening round
Rounds are attended by all residents and conducted by the Senior Resident.

17. THE PROGRAM Residents’ Duties
Admission of patients and care of patients
Emergency room on call
Out-patient department
Intensive care unit supervision
Minor surgeries
Major surgeries