Significance of basic research in education for neurosurgeons

There is no question regarding the importance of basic research for the development of neurosurgery. However, young neurosurgeons have difficulties in finding time for basic research in recent years. Experience in basic research is an important step to gain abilities indispensable for clinical activities as a neurosurgeon • the ability to actively make a research plan, the ability to think scientifically and logically, and the ability to solve problems, reading comprehension of English papers and the ability to proceed statistically. When performing basic research, an important attitude is to see not only the leaves (molecules) but also the trees (neurons) and the forest (brain); that is, not to forget feedback to clinics. One will feel great happiness when the result of basic research can be applied clinically as a translational research. In this article, the author will explain the significance of basic research in education for neurosurgeons and discuss about the improvement of research surroundings at the university and academic society level.