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CC BY 4.0 · WFNS Journal 2025; 02(01): e63-e70
DOI: 10.1055/a-2624-1752
Original Article

Perception of Medical Students towards Studying Neurosurgery in Kenya: A Mixed Methods Study

Ben Ojakapeli 
1   School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
,
Laurel Seltzer
2   School of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
,
Mercy G.N. Karani
3   School of Medicine, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
,
Ednah Brook Emojong
4   Department of Medicine, St Mary's Mission Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
,
Kavulavu Briton Matata
5   Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
,
Brian Chaina
6   Department of Medicine, North Kinangop Catholic Hospital, Nyandarua, Kenya
,
Noah Samoe
7   Department of Medicine, Migori County Referral Hospital, Migori, Kenya
,
Chenger June Jebet
8   School of Medicine, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
,
Silas Nyambega
1   School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
,
Ian Kipkorir Limo
1   School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
,
George Bryan Omondi Oluoch
1   School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
,
Angela Nambiro
1   School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
,
Teresa Lotodo
1   School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
,
Barry Ayumba
1   School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
,
Ryan Radwanski
9   School of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States
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Abstract

Objective

Neurosurgery, a highly demanding and vital medical specialty, faces significant challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, where a shortage of trained neurosurgeons persists. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of medical students in Kenya regarding neurosurgery as a career choice.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. It was pretested for clarity and validity, and included questions on demographics, interest in neurosurgery, confidence, exposure to neurosurgery during medical education, and faculty support experience. Quantitative data were analyzed using the chi-square tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests, and ordinal regression. Qualitative responses consisted of open-ended questions and were assessed using thematic analysis.

Results

The survey was distributed to 324 students, and 225 responses (69.4%) were received. Among respondents, 54.2% expressed interest in neurosurgery. Confidence in pursuing neurosurgery was found to be a strong predictor of interest. Key challenges reported were a lack of mentorship (60.9%), insufficient clinical exposure (39.1%), and limited faculty support (60.9%). Thematic analysis of qualitative responses highlighted the need for enhanced mentorship programs, increased clinical exposure, structured educational resources, and better work–life balance support.

Conclusion

The findings, while limited, begin to underscore the importance of improving mentorship, clinical exposure, and structural support for medical students in sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing the deficit of the available neurosurgical workforce in Kenya begins with addressing the deficit in student development. This study offers insights from current medical students in Kenya on the barriers preventing their pursuit of neurosurgical training. These findings may also be relevant to other Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) with similar challenges.

Keywords

career perception - neurosurgery - mentorship - medical students - Kenya - sub-Saharan Africa - LMICs


Publication History

Received: 21 April 2025

Accepted: 26 May 2025

Article published online:
12 June 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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