Dergiler / Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences / 2026 / Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1

Who Manages the Spine? A Survey of Senior Medical Students on Orthopedic vs Neurosurgery Roles

Mümin Karahan(Kafkas University Faculty Of Medicine, Department Of Orthopedics And Traumatology, Kars, Türkiye)
Ertuğrul Şahin(Kafkas University Faculty Of Medicine, Department Of Orthopedics And Traumatology, Kars, Türkiye)
Oğuz Balkış(Kafkas University Faculty Of Medicine, Department Of Brain And Neurosurgery, Kars, Türkiye)
Kadir Yıldırım(Kafkas University Faculty Of Medicine, Department Of Brain And Neurosurgery, Kars, Türkiye)
Sayfa
111–116
Yayın Tarihi
2026-03-19
DOI
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⚡ TL;DR(1 Cümlede Hızlı Çıkarım)

Balanced, integrated teaching may improve referral accuracy and interspecialty understanding.

📌 3 Maddede Bu Makale

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Amaç & Hipotez:Aim: Spine pathologies are a frequent source of clinical referrals and surgical intervention.
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Temel Bulgular & Veri:Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 4th–6th year medical students.
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Sonuç & Katkı:Balanced, integrated teaching may improve referral accuracy and interspecialty understanding.
🔬Tür:Uygulamalı Anket & Alan Araştırması
📍Kapsam:Genişletilmiş Akademik Örneklem
⚙️Değişkenler:medical student · spine surgery · orthopedic surgery

Abstract

Aim: Spine pathologies are a frequent source of clinical referrals and surgical intervention. However, medical students often perceive the roles of orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons in managing these conditions differently. To evaluate how senior medical students perceive orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery roles in spine care, and how prior clinical exposure influences their specialty preference across various spinal pathology scenarios. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to 4th–6th year medical students. The questionnaire included 16 clinical spine scenarios, and students indicated which specialty they would refer to. Respondents were grouped based on clinical exposure: both orthopedic and neurosurgery rotations vs. neither. Chi-square tests were used to compare specialty preferences between groups. Results: Among 163 students, those with ortho-neuro rotations were significantly more likely to make referral decisions aligned with real-world clinical practice. For spinal fusion due to degenerative disc disease, 72.8% selected orthopedic surgery vs. 55.4% among those without exposure (p = 0.043). Similar differences were seen in other scenarios, including Scheuermann’s kyphosis (p = 0.007) and cervical tumors (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Clinical exposure meaningfully shapes students’ perceptions of specialty roles in spine surgery. Balanced, integrated teaching may improve referral accuracy and interspecialty understanding.

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Bu Makaleye Atıf Yap

Karahan, M., Şahin, E., Balkış, O., Yıldırım, K. (2026). Who Manages the Spine? A Survey of Senior Medical Students on Orthopedic vs Neurosurgery Roles. Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1, 111–116. https://ajindex.com/articles/1631495

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Kaynakça (10)

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