/ FACULTY OF MEDICINE, ZAGAZIGUNIVERSITY
THE QUALITY ASSURANCE & ACCREDITATION UNIT

NeurosurgeryProgramme Specifications

For MD degree

A-Basic Information

1-Programme title: Doctor degree (M.D.) in Neurosurgery

2- Programme type: Single Double Multiple

3-Department (Departments):Neurosurgery

4- Coordinator Assistant:

5-Coordinator:Dr.Safwat Abouhashem

6-External evaluators:

7-Last date of programme specifications approval:

B-Professional Information

1-Programme aims

The overall goal of the program is to develop a fully trained neurosurgeons who should be

  1. Committed graduate with high professional standards, can face, respond to, and solve the current medical challenges facing the community in the fields of neurosurgical practice
  2. The graduate will be provided with knowledge, and skills which enable them to carryout the appropriate management plan For patient with neurosurgical diseases
  3. The graduate will be trained and provided also to cope with the future challenges through life long learning and conducting the necessary medical research.

2. Intended learning outcomes (ILOs):

A-KNOWLEDGE and UNDRSTANDING

By the end of the program the candidate should

KU1)Describe the detailed anatomy of skull and spinal column

KU2)Describe The normal structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system

KU3)Describe the detailed anatomy of the extracranial and intracranial vertebral, carotid and spinal circulation including arterial branches and the venous system.

KU4)Discussthe embryogenesis , the normal growth and development of the central and peripheral nervous system and the related abnormalities

KU5)Discuss the principles of genetics and the role of genetics aberrations in the development of the central and peripheral nervous system diseases

KU6)Discuss the basics of tumor biology including proliferation, invasiveness and vascluarization.

KU7)Describe and diagram the histological findings that characterize different CNS tumors

KU8)Discuss pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with brain, spinal cord, peripheral and cranial nerves lesions

KU9)Discuss the concepts of cerebral blood flow, ischemic thresholds, intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and its impact on the brain and spinal cord function.

KU10)Discuss the major principles of fluid, electrolytes, respiratory, coagulation, cardiac, and nutritional physiology and pathophysiology in relation to the neurologically injured patient, the stroke patient, and the post-operative patient.

KU11)Enumerate the important clinical signs and symptoms for patients that require emergency intervention .

KU12)Discuss the epidemiology, natural history, the risk factors ,incidence and clinical presentations of

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/ FACULTY OF MEDICINE, ZAGAZIGUNIVERSITY
THE QUALITY ASSURANCE & ACCREDITATION UNIT
  • Head injuries
  • spine injuries
  • Brain tumors
  • Spinal tumors
  • spinal degenerative disease
  • Intracranial infection
  • Spinal infection
  • Intracranial hypertension
  • hydrocephalus
  • Craniocynastosis
  • Cranial congenital anomalies
  • Spinal congenital malformations
  • Cerbrovascular diseases
  • Functional and epilepsy surgery
  • Peripheral nerve injuries and entrapment

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/ FACULTY OF MEDICINE,ZAGAZIGUNIVERSITY
THE QUALITY ASSURANCE & ACCREDITATION UNIT

B- Intellectual skills

IS1Treat the patient as a person, not as a disease and understand that patients are human beings with beliefs, values, goals and concerns which must be respected.

IS2Identify the surgical options for accessing the central and peripheral nervous system lesions and the principles, indications, the relative advantages and disadvantage of various management strategies applied to different neurosurgical ,neurological ,emergency and post traumatic clinical situations.

IS3Discuss the relative risk of morbidity and mortality for central and peripheral nervous system lesions

IS4Apply the international guidelines of management of traumatic brain and spinal lesions

IS5List a differential diagnosis with prioritization of the common possibilities for each problem.

IS6Discuss medico-legal aspects of medical practice.

IS7Discuss the scientific basis and interpret ate the common diagnostic studies

IS8Discuss The principles of infection control in hospitals and within community.

IS9Discuss The principles of research methodology

IS10Discuss The basic principles of biostatistics.

C- Professional and Practical skills

PS1Obtain and document a complete focused medical history in the outpatient,inpatient or emergency settings.

PS2Perform and document a complete physical and mental examination.

PS3Interpret the results of commonly used diagnostic procedures in the neurosurgery practice(laboratory and radiological) which include X ray ,CT,MRI and Angiography

PS4Identify problems and select the most appropriate and cost effective diagnostic procedures for each problem.

PS5Apply the principles and international guidelines of management of each problem conditions

PS6perform the following surgical procedures

a)Head injury

  • Repair Scalp injuries
  • Elevation of depressed skull fractures with and without brain fungation
  • evacuation of Extradural hematoma
  • evacuation of Subdural hematoma
  • evacuation of Intracerebral hematoma
  • Removal of foreign body (bullet-knife) from brain

b)Spinal injury

  • Traction and reduction of cervical fracture
  • Evacuation of spinal epidural hematoma
  • Removal of foreign body from the spinal canal
  • Posterior Decompressive procedures for spinal injuries
  • Posterior fixation of the lumbar spine fracture
  • Anterior fixation of lower cervical spine

c)Peripheral nerve injuries and entrapment

  • Direct repair of nerve injuries
  • Cable graft
  • Ulnar nerve transposition during repair of ulnar injury
  • Decompressive neural procedure for Carpal tunnel and Tarsal tunnel

d)Pediatric operations

  • V-P shunt for hydrocephalus
  • Repair of congenital meningocele, meningomyolocel encephalocel
  • Craniocynostosis
  • Cutaneous cranial or spinal dermoid cyst

e)Cranial surgery

  • Meningioma
  • Brain abscess
  • Brain metastasis
  • Gliomas
  • Posterior fossa tumours
  • Sellar region tumours involving Pituitary tumors and Craniopharyngioma

f)Spinal surgery

  • Decompressive procedures for extradural lesion(Lymphoma, metastasesand abcess)
  • Lumbar disc surgery ( Laminectomy and Microdiscectomy)
  • Posterior approaches for Dorsal disc surgery
  • posterior fixation for spondylolisthesis
  • Anterior discectomy forCervical disc surgery
  • Posterior foraminectomy for Cervical disc surgery
  • Laminectomy for cervical spondylosis

g)Stereotactic surgery

  • Diagnostic Biopsy

h)Miscellaneous surgery

  • EVD
  • Cranioplasty
  • Lumbo-peritoneal shunt

PS7Assist and operate under supervision in the following condition

  • posterior instrumentation of the cervical spine
  • anterior Approaches for dorsolumber lesion
  • surgery for intradural spinal lesions
  • Brachial plexus surgery
  • the Skull base surgery
  • cerebrovascular surgery
  • functional neurosurgery

D- General and transferable skills

GS1Conduct patient interviews that are characterized by patience and attentivelistening.

GS2Perform verbal and written communication with patients, their families and colleagues with competence.

GS3Explain to patients and their families the clinical investigation's findings in relation to possible courses of therapy including indications, risks, benefits and alternatives as well as plans for follow up.

GS4Distinguish when and how to ask for senior consultation.

GS5Give accurate and clear oral summaries of the patient's illness.

GS6Work collaboratively with other health professionals in other disciplines to maximize patient benefits and minimize the risk of errors.

GS7Write clear and concise medical records including: admission sheets, progress notes, and physician’ orders, referrals for consultation, discharge summaries and follow up notes.

GS8Identify personal weaknesses through accurate self-assessment

GS9Utilize the resources of biomedical information including the available electronic facilities to update his/her knowledge

GS10Respect the patients rights and privacy and have acquired awareness of the ethical behavior expected of doctors towards patients withrecognition of patients’ rights, particularly with regard to confidentiality andinformed consent.

GS11Interact with patients, families and colleagues honesty and with integrity

GS12Advocate the interest of one's patients over one's own interests at all times

GS13 Maintain a professional image in manner, dress, speech and interpersonal relationships that is consistent with the accepted contemporary medical profession standards.

GS14Demonstrate fundamental knowledge in clinical and teaching conferences and in publications and scientific presentations.

GS15Recognize her/his limits of knowledge and experience and aiming to update and improve it.

3. Academic standards:

3a External references for standards (Benchmarks)

Congress of Neurological Surgeons

3b Comparison of provision to external references

The academic standards in the current program are comparable with other nationaland international programs.

The academic standards and the Intended learning outcomes have been modified to the national and local circumstances

External Reference / Comparable ILOs in the faculty programme / Remarks
--

4- Curriculum structure and contents:

4-a- Programme duration: 5 years

4-b- Programme structure:

(i) Number of hours per week: Lectures Practical/Clinical Total

(ii) No. of credit hours: 70 hours

(iii)No.ofhoursofbasicsciencescourses:180 teaching hours

(iv)No. of hours of courses of social sciences and humanities: No

(vi) No. of hours of other courses 20

(vii)Field Training: No

5. Programme courses

Level/Year at program :Part 1

Program ILOs covered by No. / No of hours per week / No. of unites / Course Title / Code No.
Lab. / Lect.
1 / 2 / 2 / Neuroanatomy
1 / 1 / Neuropathology
1/2 / 1 / Computer
1/2 / 1 / Medical Statistics and Research Methodology

Level/Year at program :Part 2

Code No. / Course Title / No. of unites / No of hoursper week / Program ILOs covered by No.
lectures / Practical/Clinical / Lab
Neurosurgery / 10 / 4 / 16 / 2

Level/Year at program :Part 3(Thesis)

  1. The postgraduate student prepare a proposal of a thesis protocol after the selection of a subject that is complementary to the research plans of the department.
  2. the department council nominate three supervisor according to their interest and subspecialty
  3. Data collection, methodologies, study question, time table, ethical considerations and budget are formulated by the candidate under guidance of his supervisors into a research project.
  4. The research protocol is discussed openly in one of the department councils to be approved and diverted to the Faculty research committee where it is subjected to a critical appraisal to meet the research basic standards set by the committee.
  5. The final approvals of the research protocol are then issued by the committee of post graduate studies, the Faculty and University Council to be registered.
  6. After the postgraduate student fulfill the logbook he will discuss the research project by a committee selected by the department council and approved by the Faculty research committee after at least two years from the final approvals of the Faculty and University Council

6- Programme admission requirements

  • Bachelor of Medicine & surgery(M.B.B.Ch.) with minimumgood grade and very good grade in general surgery.
  • Master of Surgery with minimum good grade.

7- Regulations for progression and programme completion

First part

  • Passing level 60% of total marks of the exam.
  • prerequisite for Exam
  1. Attend 85 % of the teaching hour
  2. Approval of the department council by staff evaluation record and the mean evaluation must be at least 75%

Second part

  • Passing level 60% of total marks of the exam
  • prerequisite for Exam
  • Attend 85 % of the teaching hour
  • Approval of the department council by staff evaluation record and the mean evaluation must be at least 85%

Third part (Thesis)

Passing discussion is required for MD degree

  • prerequisite for discussion
  1. Publicate at least two papers in a recognized journal
  2. Complete the all item of the log book
  3. Approval of the department council by staff evaluation record and the mean evaluation must be at least 90%

8- Evaluation of programme intended learning outcomes

Evaluator / Tool / Sample
Students at final year-1 / Questionnaires
2-Graduates / Questionnaires
3-Stakeholders / Interviews
4-External Evaluator / Attending exam. (using checklist and/or rating scale)
5-Others(If Present)

Courses specifications are added as appendices

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