Actualization means not just knowledge and technical skills but includes confidence, teamwork, interpersonal skills, leadership, self-reflection, direction, resilience and wisdom.
Technical skills refers to the abilities and knowledge necessary to perform specific tasks related to a particular job or industry. They are typically acquired through training, education, and hands-on experience, and are essential for individuals working in fields such as engineering, information technology, healthcare, finance, and many others.
Examples of technical skills can vary widely depending on the specific job or industry, but may include proficiency in software applications, programming languages, data analysis tools, laboratory techniques, equipment operation, or specialized procedures or protocols.
Technical skills are important for individuals seeking to advance in their careers, as they can provide a competitive edge and increase job opportunities. Additionally, they are often required for professional certification or licensure in many fields.
While technical skills are important, it is also essential for individuals to have strong soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership abilities. Soft skills are complementary to technical skills and can help individuals work effectively with others, manage complex projects, and adapt to changing situations.
Overall, technical skills are essential for individuals seeking to succeed in many industries and can provide a strong foundation for career growth and advancement.
Graduating residents immediately need a host of skills to successfully navigate neurosurgical practice. Surgical and medical skills are closely evaluated through the ABNS, and a formal socioeconomic curriculum has been developed with defined milestones. Nevertheless, little has been done to evaluate neurosurgery resident competence in socioeconomic and medicolegal principles. The purpose of a study by Kessler et al. was to assess the competence of ACGME neurosurgical residents in socioeconomic knowledge.
Neurosurgery resident members of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (N = 1385) were sent a Survey Monkey of 10 questions. The survey covered the most basic of SE principles. Initial survey responses were collected across a one-month period from April to May 2018.
The response rate was 14% (194/1385). Overall, neurosurgery residents would have received a grade of “D,” with an average score of 67% on the survey. For seven of the ten questions, the majority (>50%) of neurosurgery residents answered correctly. Furthermore, for three questions, over 90% of residents selected the correct answer. However, for half of all questions, residents averaged a score of less than 65%. Residents tended to answer questions correctly for physician compensation and compensation models, but incorrectly for topics of informed consent, the Controlled Substances Act, and conflicts of interest.
With the increasing complexity of neurosurgery practice, solid knowledge of socioeconomic topics is essential. The study confirms suspected deficiencies in socioeconomic proficiency among neurosurgery residents, despite the availability of a validated curriculum. This knowledge gap will likely impact career success and satisfaction. Nevertheless, this survey had a significantly low response rate, and it may be an incomplete representation of the neurosurgical resident mind. Focused educational initiatives through the Neurosurgical Residency Review Committee and individual training programs must facilitate an action plan that ensures the effective implementation of socioeconomic curricula 1).