In July 2010, the Society of Neurological Surgeons (SNS) developed the international bootcamp model and learning curriculum to be adopted and used by organizations and learning institutions to support neurosurgical residents transitioning from medical school to mid-level residency. The humanitarian model provides a cost-effective and sustainable solution to educational needs and demonstrates to local neurosurgeons how they can take ownership of their educational processes. Educational materials include mini courses with lectures, case discussions, skill stations, simulators and models. In addition to learning opportunities, the bootcamp model also provides an opportunity for residents to meet other residents outside of their own programs and possibly from other countries. It also allows residents to be exposed to up-to-date techniques and equipment in neurosurgery.
Using the CNS model, FIENS participated in their first international bootcamp in Bolivia in 2015. Since 2015, FIENS, in partnership with Henry Ford Health and local physicians, societies and foundations, has completed boot camps in South Africa, Yangon (2), Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Nigeria, Singapore, Chile, Kenya and Vietnam (2).
This year, members of FIENS and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Department of Neurosurgery partnered with Solidarity Bridge and the Neurosurgical Society of Bolivia to carry out to develop an ongoing curriculum for bidirectional learning in all aspects of neurosurgery which includes bi-weekly lectures, hands-on training, and opportunities for observership in the at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
The Hands-on Workshop was on Neuro-endoscopy and hydrocephalus shunt management. It was designed for neurosurgery residents from Bolivia and Paraguay. It was also attended by Bolivia neurosurgeons and medical students. This was a combination of lectures, case discussions from both the UW team and the Bolivia attendees, and a hands-on workshop.
The Bolivia/Paraguay program started in 2022 and consists of the following: 1) Virtual lectures twice a month covering spine, pediatric, tumor/skull base and vascular neurosurgery. 2) Hands-on workshops (so far spine and shunt/endoscopy). 3) Observerships (2 Bolivia/Paraguay residents will come to Madison for 1-3 months for an observership that includes clinic, operating room, cadaver/dissection lab, and research.
The Bootcamp is a philanthropic effort to improve the education of neurosurgical residents in developing countries. It was a response to observations by neurosurgeons volunteering around the world that although the attendings were often bright, well trained and skilled surgeons, they lack technological resources especially in the area of resident education. I had been volunteering in Bolivia, the poorest country in South America for many years with a wonderful group, Solidarity Bridge, whose neurosurgical mission was led by Richard Moser. This is a group that that partnered with the local physicians and brought technical equipment and then trained surgeons in new procedures. I could imagine how a bootcamp, modeled on the introductory United States program required of all U.S. residents, seemed like the perfect firs step in meeting this need. With teaching materials graciously shared by Richard Byrne of the US Bootcamp, the international bootcamp was similar to the US one in that it consisted of a series of basic lectures on pertinent topics in neurosurgery, a series of case discussions modeled on the oral boards, and hands on practical skills course using animal bones, plastic models, simulators, computers and other new technology used in teaching. However, the international bootcamp was unique because it was run as a partnership program, meaning the local host doctors were involved at all levels alongside their international, mainly U.S, counterparts. This meant that the lectures were divided between local hosts and US physicians, every case discussion involved one local doctor and one US doctor, and all the practical skill stations involved both the local host doctors and the visiting physicians. In this way we shared information and learned from each other. A third, important partner in this project is industry, providing newest technology, materials, and often financial educational support for the bootcamp. The doctors were all volunteer and paid their own ways.
The first bootcamp I organized in Bolivia based on these concepts was very basic, run on a shoestring budget, volunteer doctors including FEINS faculty, and with many technological challenges. But we successfully served about 30 residents from South America, with the support of the local neurosurgeons of Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Subsequently, with the further support of FEINS, Dr. Jack Rock and myself worked on a bootcamp for Myanmar. With Dr, Rocks extensive experience in Southeast Asia, and his extensive connections with industry, the bootcamp was very successful. Dr. Rock has extended these efforts and developed bootcamps in other areas of Southeast Asia and most recently in Viet Nam.
I attended this most recent one in Vietnam and I think it was wonderful in so many ways. We were able to accommodate 70 residents along with dozens of local host doctors. It was held in a beautiful space and without any technological difficulties. In other words, it ran smoothly and efficiently. Our industry partners were especially supportive and most helpful as well. And Vietnam is a lovely country. The people are so kind and seem so peaceful. I could feel the warm welcome of our local host neurosurgeons as well as the tangible enthusiasm and expressions of gratitude of the residents daily. I had pleasure of meeting the one female resident attendee, one of only 2 female residents in the country. I was assigned to her drilling station and observed that she was already quite skillful and confident. Her professor was very proud to introduce to me as well.
Education is a relationship. And I think the success of these international bootcamps depends on the relationships we have developed with the doctors in these developing countries, with many of the residents, and with our industry partners, and in this way we all learn from each other in a mutually respectful and open minded and openhearted way. It was truly a memorable experience, and I am honored to be part of it. And once again, a huge thanks to Dr. Jack Rock for all his incredible work and friendship throughout the years.
FIENS was able to participate as a co-sponsor in the 2022 Vietnam Neurosurgery Boot Camp along with the Danang University Medical school and Henry Ford Health Team, with generous sponsorship from Medtronic and Storz. Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Ba, Dr. Tra Tan Hoanh and Dr. Le Quang Huy partnered with us for the boot camp and were instrumental all along the way during the planning phases beginning nine months prior and the running of the boot camp.
Boot Camps are a great opportunity for resident learning and provide the local faculty with an excellent opportunity to teach. This is greatly appreciated by the faculty, and many thanked us for doing the boot camp in Vietnam; they are eager to have additional Boot Camps in the future.
The Boot Camp served approximately 80 students, including faculty and residents, and medical students, and was supported by nine international faculty and approximately 20 Vietnamese faculty representing the major medical centers in Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. The support of the Danang Medical School was invaluable, and an extremely high-level Boot Camp took place with discussions by international and local faculty and hands-on experience in craniotomy, microsurgery, endoscopy, as well as standard positioning, ICP, and lumbar puncture.
All of the residents had an opportunity to work on workstations featuring spinal fusion instruments, neuronavigation, microscopic techniques, endoscopy techniques, and a number of other techniques.
It was particularly encouraging to see the enthusiasm of the Vietnamese medical specialists and their desire to continue such teaching well into the future. Dr. Dempsey and Dr. Rock were joined by FIENS treasurer Dr. Brandon Rocque and board member Richard Moser. This is the first Boot Camp to be held in Vietnam, which could well become a site for regional educational activities.
This year, FIENS and the University of Wisconsin’s Department of Neurosurgery partnered with Solidarity Bridge and the Neurosurgical Society of Bolivia to develop a curriculum for bidirectional neurosurgery training, including bi-weekly lectures, hands-on workshops, and observerships at UW-Madison.
FIENS would like to shine a spotlight on board member, Dr. Roberta P. Glick. She has been a member of the board for almost a decade, has made a significant contribution to the board, and has played a pivotal role in several training bootcamps.
In November 2023, FIENS Board members, Jack Rock, Brandon Rocque, Roberta Glick and other neurosurgeons, Timothy Ryken, Damien Kuffler, Hassan Fadel hosted a successful boot
