MedEd Connect Blog: Exploring Medicine Based Careers

Neurosurgery Iasmina Ciocan  Neurosurgery is, as we all know, one of the most demanding medical fields, due to needing utmost precision. Here, even the tiniest mistakes bring horrible consequences. Therefore, neurosurgery requires cutting-edge technology, dedicated professionals, and tremendous financial resources. Sadly, in low- and middle-income areas, the proficiency of neurosurgical care is being brought down by numerous challenges. People could always be affected by neurosurgical conditions, no matter which country they live in, hence it is essential to address the obstacles faced in this medical field, on a global level. One of these crucial problems is the absence of trained personnel and adequate surgical equipment. Specialized neurosurgical care is mandatory for conditions like hydrocephalus, brain tumors, congenital anomalies, and spinal cord injuries. However, the growing scarcity of skilled neurosurgeons and neurosurgical facilities in some countries, means that a notab...

Global Healthcare Issues Linked to Anesthesiology By: Sreshta Karamsetty Anesthesiology is the field of medicine that focuses on pain relief and patient monitoring before, during, and after surgery. Anesthesiologists are  responsible for surgeries keeping patients stable during procedures and should respond quickly if any problems arise. This role is important for safe surgeries, as many places around the world face serious challenges. One major issue is the severe shortage of trained anesthesiologists in low-income and rural areas. Without enough anesthesiologists, this can lead to unsafe surgeries. According to the World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists, more than 5 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe and effective anesthesia.  In addition to workforce shortages in staff, many hospitals don’t even have the right tools, such as ventilators, monitoring systems, or anesthetic drugs. Even the most skilled healthcare professionals cannot provide safe c...

Neurosurgery Lise Angie  Most people believe Neurosurgery simply involves brain surgery, but is it so much more complex. Neurosurgery is the medical specialty which focuses on anything affecting the nervous system, this may include the spinal cord, the brain and the peripheral nervous system. This is crucial as it preserves or restores vital functions and improves quality of life.  A real-world example of the consequences that damage to our nervous system can cause is the case of Charles Whitman.   Whitman, a former marine and an intelligent stable man suddenly became known as the ‘Texas Tower Sniper’ as a result of killing his wife, mother and 14 innocent people. In his suicide note, he stated he was concerned about the sudden switch in his behaviour and requested an autopsy. Neuroscientists revealed a brain tumour pressing against his amygdala (a small structure within the brain which regulates emotions), and therefore concluded this small tumour is what affected his em...

Cardiothoracic Surgery Rosemary Njoku Humans aren't indestructible. Illnesses come and go, one of them being heart disease. Want to know what the leading cause of death is? Heart disease. Not only is it the leading cause of death in the United States, but it’s also the leading cause of death globally. Millions of people around the world die, but it's not because of the condition. Millions of people die because not all countries have easy access for treatment, which is cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiothoracic surgery is surgery that involves the thorax (chest), heart, lungs, and oesophagus. Its procedures are often lengthy and complex, requiring advanced technology. Doing a procedure like cardiothoracic surgery in America would be very simple for the most part. The United States has easy access to specialized doctors and technology that is up to date. In contrast, low income countries would struggle due to financial barriers, geographical location, and most importantly, lack of ad...

Neuroscience Hajar kaciri Prosopagnosia, or face blindness , is a neurological disorder marked by the inability to recognize faces, including those of close friends, family members, or even oneself. First described in 1947 by German neurologist Joachim Bodamer, the term derives from Greek: prosopon (face) and agnosia (not knowing). There are two main types: acquired and developmental.   Acquired prosopagnosia typically results from brain injury due to stroke, trauma, tumors, or degenerative conditions. It can affect face recognition at various levels, depending on the location and extent of brain damage—most notably in the fusiform gyrus of the inferior temporal cortex.                                                     ...