Exploring the impact of early exposure and mentorship on the neurosurgery career aspirations of medical students in low- and middle-income countries.

Early exposure to neurosurgery has been shown to have a positive influence on students' perceptions and attitudes towards the field of neurosurgery. This review delves into the problems faced by the neurosurgery workforce in LMICs, highlighting the necessity for local and international collaborative strategies and plans to enhance the medical education curriculum, training, and retention of neurosurgeons in their home countries. Mentorship also emerges as a crucial factor in neurosurgical career progress, narrowing the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practical skills, and providing guidelines in career pathways.