Greek reflections on global neurosurgery
Introduction: Large populations in middle- and low-income countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South Americas face a dramatic neurosurgical crisis. However, large social groups in high-income countries face similar limited access to neurosurgical services. Proper identification of such a probl...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Brain and Spine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529423000097 |
| _version_ | 1827591454248140800 |
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| author | Christos Tzerefos Anastasia Tasiou Kostas N. Fountas |
| author_facet | Christos Tzerefos Anastasia Tasiou Kostas N. Fountas |
| author_sort | Christos Tzerefos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Large populations in middle- and low-income countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South Americas face a dramatic neurosurgical crisis. However, large social groups in high-income countries face similar limited access to neurosurgical services. Proper identification of such a problem, analysis of the underlying causes, and proposal of potential solutions may not only address the problem at a national level, but may also provide valuable reflections on the efficient management of global neurosurgical crisis. Research question: To evaluate if special social groups face similar problems in Greece. Material and methods: The structure of the Greek health system was examined. The national census along with the registry of practicing neurosurgeons of the Greek National Society, as well as the national health map were searched. Results: A series of socio-economic factors, language barriers, cultural and religion differences, geographical barriers, the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath, along with the inherent malfunctioning of the Greek health system have led to this national neurosurgical crisis. Discussion and conclusion: An extensive redrawing of the Greek health map, reorganization of the national health system, along with adaptation of all recent advances in telemedicine may alleviate the health burden in these populations. The results of this local reformation may be applied to a global level for managing the ongoing health crisis. Moreover, the development of a European taskforce by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) may well facilitate the development of realistic and efficacious global solutions, and contribute to the global effort for providing high-quality neurosurgical services worldwide. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:32:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-298bb566e814473cb5ecefc76a5fd885 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2772-5294 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:32:57Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain and Spine |
| spelling | doaj.art-298bb566e814473cb5ecefc76a5fd8852023-12-09T06:08:50ZengElsevierBrain and Spine2772-52942023-01-013101721Greek reflections on global neurosurgeryChristos Tzerefos0Anastasia Tasiou1Kostas N. Fountas2Corresponding author. Department of Neurosurgery, Building A, 3rd Floor, University Hospital of Larissa, Biopolis, Larissa, 41110, Greece.; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceDepartment of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, GreeceIntroduction: Large populations in middle- and low-income countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South Americas face a dramatic neurosurgical crisis. However, large social groups in high-income countries face similar limited access to neurosurgical services. Proper identification of such a problem, analysis of the underlying causes, and proposal of potential solutions may not only address the problem at a national level, but may also provide valuable reflections on the efficient management of global neurosurgical crisis. Research question: To evaluate if special social groups face similar problems in Greece. Material and methods: The structure of the Greek health system was examined. The national census along with the registry of practicing neurosurgeons of the Greek National Society, as well as the national health map were searched. Results: A series of socio-economic factors, language barriers, cultural and religion differences, geographical barriers, the COVID-19 pandemic aftermath, along with the inherent malfunctioning of the Greek health system have led to this national neurosurgical crisis. Discussion and conclusion: An extensive redrawing of the Greek health map, reorganization of the national health system, along with adaptation of all recent advances in telemedicine may alleviate the health burden in these populations. The results of this local reformation may be applied to a global level for managing the ongoing health crisis. Moreover, the development of a European taskforce by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) may well facilitate the development of realistic and efficacious global solutions, and contribute to the global effort for providing high-quality neurosurgical services worldwide.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529423000097DisparitiesGlobal neurosurgeryGreeceHealth equityNeurosurgical careRefugee |
| spellingShingle | Christos Tzerefos Anastasia Tasiou Kostas N. Fountas Greek reflections on global neurosurgery Brain and Spine Disparities Global neurosurgery Greece Health equity Neurosurgical care Refugee |
| title | Greek reflections on global neurosurgery |
| title_full | Greek reflections on global neurosurgery |
| title_fullStr | Greek reflections on global neurosurgery |
| title_full_unstemmed | Greek reflections on global neurosurgery |
| title_short | Greek reflections on global neurosurgery |
| title_sort | greek reflections on global neurosurgery |
| topic | Disparities Global neurosurgery Greece Health equity Neurosurgical care Refugee |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529423000097 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT christostzerefos greekreflectionsonglobalneurosurgery AT anastasiatasiou greekreflectionsonglobalneurosurgery AT kostasnfountas greekreflectionsonglobalneurosurgery |