Pranav Kakulamarri

Research Assessment #1:

Date: Sept, 5, 2017
Subject Area: Neurosurgery
Citations:
What Is a Neurosurgeon? What Is a Neurosurgeon - Neurosurgery - Highland Hospital -
University of Rochester Medical Center, www.urmc.rochester.edu/highland/departments-
centers/neurosurgery/what-is-a-neurosurgeon.aspx.
Parker, Mike. What Classes Do I Need to Take to Become a Doctor? Chron.com,
work.chron.com/classes-need-become-doctor-8227.html.
About the AANS. AANS, www.aans.org/en/About-Us.
Greenwood, Beth. What Is the Job Outlook for a Neurosurgeon? Chron.com,
work.chron.com/job-outlook-neurosurgeon-20074.html.
Neurosurgeon Salary, www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Neurosurgeon/Salary.
Job Title: Neurosurgeon
Job Description:
Neurosurgeons are physicians who diagnose and surgically treat disorders of the central and
peripheral nervous system. Today, most neurosurgeons perform spine and brain surgeries. A
neurosurgeon treats a variety of disorders, such as congenital anomalies, trauma, tumors,
vascular disorders, infections of the brain or spine, stroke, and degenerative diseases of the spine.
A neurosurgeons job is to treat these abnormalities and help patients live a long and healthy life.
Training, Education, and Certificate:
Neurosurgeons have to spend an extensive amount in school and have to go through rigorous
coursework. Students begin by earning their bachelors degree in a four year college or
university. Students must take the MCAT while in college (normally it is taken sophomore or
junior year in college), in order to apply to medical school. Students must then go to medical
school to get their M.D. or D.O. degree. Soon after, the young doctors must intern for one year at
general surgery and continue with a residency in a neurosurgery residency program for five to
seven years. After residency, the doctors have officially become qualified neurosurgeons, but
must continue education (conferences, annual meetings, research, scientific journals).
College, Post-High School & High School Recommended Courses:
High school science classes are highly recommended (chemistry, biology, and physics). High
levels of math are also recommended, such as Calculus and Statistics. In college, students are
recommended to take chemistry, biology, physics, psychology, and neuroscience. Generally
students that want to enter the medical field major in biology.
Pranav Kakulamarri

National Professional Organization:

The American Association for Neurological Surgeons is a national group. The AANS looks to
advancing in the specialty of neurosurgery and they want to ensure the highest quality treatment
for the public.
Salary:
A neurosurgeons salary can range from $102,229 - $793,276 depending on the
experience the surgeon has. The median salary for neurosurgeons is $385,882.
Career Outlook:
Between 2010 and 2020, the estimated growth in jobs for neurosurgeons is 24 percent. This is
less than most other specialties.
Terminology:
Some terminology that would be useful for neurology is the parts of the brain such as the frontal,
parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes. Further more specific parts of the brain such as the
cerebellum, cerebrum, hypothalamus, thalamus, and medulla oblongata are useful to know.
Analysis:
With the help of my research, I now have a better understanding of what a neurosurgeon
is. I came to realize that a neurosurgeon can deal with more than just the brain and spine. This
was a very important discovery to me because it showed me the complexity of the job. I came to
realize that being a neurosurgeon requires a lot of patience and time commitment.
I learned that being a neurosurgeon requires a long time in school and I will be stuck in
lots of debt. At first I was overwhelmed by this, but I soon looked deeper into research. I realized
that the pay for a neurosurgeon is quite high, and the employment rates will slowly continue to
grow. Soon after, I decided to research terminology that would be useful for a neurosurgeon, and
I noticed that most of the words were disorders or specific brain parts. I realized how complex
the brain was, but I was enthralled to find how this job is challenging. I love dealing with new
challenges, so I have an open mind about continuing to learn more about neurosurgery.
In the end of this research assessment, I learned an extensive amount about the rigor and
time required to become a neurosurgeon. By looking at both the pros and cons of this job, I now
have a better idea of what I want to do in the future. I became much more educated about my
topic and I will continue to research about the neurosurgery. Lots of my doubts and worries have
been clarified with the help of this research and I will continue to gain knowledge as the school
year continues.