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Series:   Elements in Emergency Neurosurgery

The Challenges of On-Call Neurosurgery

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 October 2023

Abteen Mostofi ,
Marco Lee  and
Nihal Gurusinghe
Abteen Mostofi
Affiliation:
St George's University Hospital, London
Marco Lee
Affiliation:
Stanford University, California
Nihal Gurusinghe
Affiliation:
Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Summary

On-call neurosurgery concerns practice related to urgent and emergency neurosurgical care including outside of 'normal' working hours. Being on-call involves many competing responsibilities and is regarded as one of the most demanding aspects of a neurosurgical career. The on-call work pattern has evolved over the past decade due to changes in demographics, technology and working practices, each of which have brought new and emerging challenges. These challenges aside, the on-call provides a unique and rewarding environment to make a meaningful difference to patients and to learn the science and art of neurosurgery. Success in on-call work requires not only good technical knowledge and application but also a wide variety of non-technical skills. These skills will help deal with some of the difficult situations neurosurgeons in training face when on-call to make the experience more manageable and educational.
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Keywords

challengesemergencyneurosurgeryon callpreparation
Type
Element
Information
Series: Elements in Emergency Neurosurgery
Online ISBN: 9781009384520
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 16 November 2023

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