A Clinical Learning Curve Should Be Avoided in Neurosurgery

Achieving competence in performing complex neurosurgical operations and learning new techniques after qualification take time. The improvement in skill over time (or as more procedures are performed) can be represented graphically as a learning curve. While surgeons are operating on patients to acquire the required skills, patients might be harmed. This is often referred to colloquially but incorrectly as "a steep learning curve." Although this may be an accepted learning practice for surgeons, it is unlikely to be acceptable to patients. Surgeons need to find ways of reaching a competent level of practice before operating on patients. To this end, the need for new techniques, what skills they require, and how they can be learned in a nonclinical environment should be defined. This can help surgeons determine where they start on a learning curve and what skills they need to achieve competence.