Cut off mark for neurosurgery in Nigeria
I noticed that every young school leaver that intends to be a medical doctor in future toy with the prospects of becoming a neurosurgeon. So, they feel they can apply for neurosurgery as an undergraduate course in the University while applying for JAMB/UTME. It is not their fault though, they probably were not well oriented in their career choices and even though they were sure they would go for medicine, they were not taught on how to go about it. A secondary school student that just passed her WAEC private messaged me the other day asking me the cut off mark of Neurosurgery in the Nigerian Universities. I later realised she was interested in studying medicine.
Credit: Spineuniverse
Now the truth:
Neurosurgery is not an undergraduate course in the University. It is not a course you can study in the University or polytechnic through JAMB/UTME. SO THERE IS NO CUT OFF MARK FOR NEUROSURGERY…IT IS A MYTH OR AT BEST A MISCONCEPTION OR A MISINFORMATION. For you to become a neurosurgeon, it will take you roughly 14 years starting from undergraduate medicine and surgery , housemanship for one year, and then another 6 – 8 years of residency training in neurosurgery…with series of professional exams you must pass. THERE IS NO NEURSOSURGERY AS AN UNDERGRADUATE COURSE IN JAMB/UTME BRONCHURE….IF YOU WANT TO BE A NEUROSURGEON, YOU HAVE TO BECOME A MEDICAL DOCTOR FIRST, YOU CAN NOW GO AND SPECIALISE IN NEUROSURGERY DURING RESIDENCY TRAINING IN SURGERY.
Understood? I guess so.
NOW WHAT IS NEUROSURGERY AND WHAT DOES NEUROSURGEONS DO?
For educational purposes, I culled this passage below from the Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Neurological Sciences website..
Neurosurgery is surgery of the nervous system.
Most people think of neurosurgery as brain surgery — but it is much more!
It is the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of of patients with injury to, or diseases/disorders of the brain, spinal cord and spinal column, and peripheral nerves within all parts of the body. The specialty of neurosurgical care includes both adult and pediatric patients. Dependent upon the nature of the injury or disease a neurological surgeon may provide surgical and/or non-surgical care.
Who is a Neurosurgeon?
A physician who specializes in neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons are not just brain surgeons, they are medically trained neurosurgical specialists who can also help patients suffering from back and neck pain as well as a host of other illnesses ranging from trigeminal neuralgia to head injury and Parkinson’s disease.
What is the role of the Neurosurgeon?
Neurosurgeons provide the operative and non-operative management (i.e., prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care and rehabilitation) of neurological disorders. Because neurosurgeons have extensive training in the diagnosis of all neurological disease, emergency room doctors, neurologists, internists, family practitioners, and osteopaths often call upon them for consultations.
This article is the intellectual property of www.nimedhealth.com.ng
