Securing a neurosurgery interview
BMJ 2016; 355 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i5976 (Published 25 November 2016) Cite this as: BMJ 2016;355:i5976
- Fozia Saeed, specialist trainee year 2 trust grade neurosurgery,
- Ian A Anderson, specialist trainee year 7 neurosurgery
- fozia.s{at}doctors.org.uk
Abstract
Neurosurgery is competitive so planning and preparation are crucial, say Fozia Saeed and Ian Anderson
Neurosurgery is one of the most competitive specialties with competition ratios as high as 15.9 applications per post in 2012.1 The competition has eased a little since then, however, and during last year’s selection round there were 5.63 applications per post.
Candidates must plan and prepare their application in advance. Applications for national selection are taken annually and interviews are held shortly afterwards, usually in January and February, hosted by the Yorkshire and Humber Deanery.
Shortlisting criteria
Candidates should start building their CVs as medical students, but foundation year training is just as important in helping to fulfil the demanding standardised criteria for neurosurgery.2 In order to secure an interview, candidates must demonstrate excellence in multiple domains:
Undergraduate achievements
Postgraduate achievements
Organisational and leadership skills
Practical and psychomotor skills
Teaching.
Each written application is worth a maximum of 33 points and is marked by two independent examiners, giving a total score out of 66. Shortlisting scores vary each year; last year the cut-off score was 28 for specialty trainee year 1, which resulted in 82 applicants out of 169 being invited for interview, of which 38 were foundation year 2 doctors. The remainder were core and specialty trainees from other programmes.
Undergraduate achievements (7 points)
Medical students should obtain any evidence of strong undergraduate performance and file it in their portfolio. This may include prizes, awards, examples of research, excellence in subjects, or evidence of early commitment to the field.
Postgraduate achievements (17 points)
This is an important category that has multiple sub-domains. A higher degree is desirable but not essential. Candidates may consider completing a part time masters degree in a subject relevant to neurosurgery.
This section also encompasses other qualifications such as postgraduate certificates in health research or medical education which, as academic foundation year doctors, many will need to complete. This is a bonus for academic trainees. Non-academic foundation year doctors can still score points through completion of the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons Part A exam, a recent addition to the shortlisting criteria.
Candidates are advised to join research committees or lead national research in local hospitals. If you’re proactive, it is possible for a foundation doctor to set up a project and become a principal investigator.
Publication is evidence of active involvement in research and candidates should aim to have at least three first named papers relevant to neurosciences and neurosurgery. Case reports will not earn maximum points.
Being involved in research will also give you an opportunity to make both spoken and poster presentations. Candidates who undertake at least three oral presentations will gain maximum points. Applicants should not underestimate the significance of audits or quality improvement projects and should aim to design and lead a project with re-auditing to ensure they have closed the loop. Applicants could also consider writing chapters in books relevant to neurosurgery.
Postgraduate awards and prizes demonstrate excellence. Like undergraduate awards, this category can include bursaries or grants. Candidates should keep an eye out for opportunities to win prizes and enter essay competitions.
Dedication and commitment to the specialty can also be demonstrated by completing relevant courses such as basic surgical skills, advanced trauma life support, care of the critically ill surgical patient, acute life threatening events: recognition and treatment, operative skills in neurosurgery, and neurotips.
Organisational and leadership skills (3 points)
If you’ve taken a leading role in a society then this will score you points. Maximum points, however, are achieved if the society is a national or international body or charity. Major expeditions or projects may also be considered.
Practical and psychomotor skills (3 points)
Developing extracurricular interests play a major role and those who have had national or international recognition in sports or the arts are likely to gain maximum points. Candidates should show dedication to particular hobbies or skills.
Teaching (3 points)
Candidates are encouraged to provide evidence of commitment to teaching. This may be through the development and delivery of a teaching course.
In essence, dedication and commitment to neurosurgery as well as evidencing high attainment in fields inside and outside of medicine will ensure the best opportunity of success. It is advisable to use the national neurosurgery shortlisting criteria and personal specification as templates to improve your CV.
Footnotes
Competing interests: We have read and understood BMJ’s policy on declaration of interests and declare that we have no competing interests