The American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons released a position statement on team-based care in neurosurgery.
The statement — released March 2014 — reviews the team-based approach in neurosurgery and identifies the important role of midlevel providers in neurosurgical patient care. With limited resident hours, midlevel providers may be able to fill in the gaps.
"Optimal patient care and safety are best achieved when surgical disease affecting the nervous system is managed by neurological surgeons. Neurosurgeon-led, team-based neurosurgical care is a safe and viable method of care delivery and is a high-quality response to neurosurgical workforce needs."
After adequate training, oversight and credentialing, certain neurological procedures can be performed by neurosurgical mid-level providers, but "neurological procedures should not be performed by independent practitioners outside of the specialty," according to the statement.
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