Abstract
In Germany, the idea of neurosurgery as a separate medical specialty emerged in the
1920s in response to Cushing's role model, but can in part also be attributed to the
preceding decades of German brain research. First attempts of professional emancipation
failed due to political conditions. During National Socialism, the military significance
of neurosurgical expertise was recognized. Only after World War II, the advancement
of the new specialty gathered pace by the spread of multiple new specialized units.
It is worth mentioning that apart from a nationwide coverage with neurosurgical health
care the academic recognition of the specialty has also been fully achieved with regard
to medical care, research, and teaching.
Keywords
health care - medical education - neurosurgical specialization - board certification
- scientific council (Wissenschaftsrat) - division of Germany
