What neurosurgeons should do to succeed in tomorrow's scientific and socioeconomic environment

Abstract

There will be major scientific advances and socioeconomic changes in the 21st century that will influence the development of medicine and neurosurgery. These changes will affect those in academic medical centers and the private practitioners of medicine and neurosurgery. Neurosurgeons' philosophy and practice methods must adapt to these trends. Because of the continuing growth in scientific knowledge and the rapid spread of communications of all types, physicians will best work in groups and teams. These group forces will require the physicians to surrender some independence to gain the power of the integrated knowledge and political and social force of a group. Graduate and postgraduate education programs will also change to adapt to these new realities. Those who understand these new shifts will be the most successful in establishing and conducting practices in academic centers and private practice.