Academic engagement of medical students in global neurosurgery initiatives: A North American perspective.

Despite an explosion of global neurosurgery (GNS)-related articles in recent years, formal opportunities for medical students in GNS and literature documenting their academic impact are lacking. This study highlights the importance of these students in GNS research and calls for more student-specific programmatic and funding opportunities. An anonymized survey was distributed to medical institutions in the United States that had formal or informal GNS programs. Additionally, a survey for GNS program leaders was distributed. Thirty-two respondents (17 [53 %] male, 23 [72 %] medical students, 7 [22 %] residents) completed the medical student impact survey. Twenty of 26 (77 %) were financed by loans and personal funds. Students in their last year of medical school had a mean (range) of 5.4 (1-20) publications and 2.9 (1-12) first-author GNS publications. Research, community engagement, and policy or advocacy were the most common roles for medical students. Five of 7 (71 %) program leaders agreed that student work was helpful to the program, with 6 (86 %) stating it was high quality. Medical students involved in GNS have contributed to the overall academic productivity of the field. More funded opportunities for students may inspire the next generation of globally minded neurosurgeons, with evidence that students will produce a tangible return on investment.