Introduction: Medical Students, especially International Medical Graduates, face many problems getting into neurosurgical residency. First, medical students need a very high score on the USMLE or similar exams in other countries; second, they must show great interest and dedication in the neurosurgical fields. To achieve these two objectives, medical students face a constant battle with the opportunity cost: every hour dedicated to neurosurgery is an hour devoted not to passing an exam, and vice-versa. This is why, after graduating from medical school, most graduates, especially international graduates, spend a couple of years in research focussed on neurosurgery before applying to residency. Here, we expose the case of two women international medical students who have overcome and excelled at the obstacles mentioned before finishing medical school.
Methods: Two Mexican students embarked on a unique journey of learning through a behavioral engineering project with a focus on positive reinforcement. This project provided them with unparalleled access to a wide range of neurosurgery literature and, if they exceeded expectations, the opportunity to further hone their surgical skills in the operating room. All of this was accomplished during the students' Pre-Graduate Medical Internship year, and their achievements were compared to those of junior neurosurgery residents.
Results: The two medical students, on average, scrubbed in for 150 neurosurgical cases, which was more than the average cases a first-second year resident has in Mexico, which also gave them more surgical anatomy knowledge than some junior residents.
Conclusion : The benefits of this project extend beyond the individual students. It serves as a platform for medical students to acquire practical knowledge and experience in neurosurgery before entering residency, thereby leveling the playing field for diverse applicants. This project's potential to be implemented globally, in every country, offers hope for a future where the barriers to entering a neurosurgery specialty are significantly reduced.
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