Mostafa Ibrahim Mohamed Aziz Elmazny

My name is Mostafa EL-Mazny. I am a specialist neurosurgeon. I have 13 years of experience in neurosurgery. I got my Master's degree in 2014. I passed my FRCS Neurosurgery exam in 2023, then I got my GMC full registration and a license to practice in 2023 which qualifies me to work in the UK. I managed also to get my DHA eligibility letter which qualifies me to work in the UAE. I advanced in my career step by step, starting from a house officer whose main duties were following patients in the ward, ICU and the ER to become a senior specialist. My career depends on teaching and learning. Teaching junior residents and learning from my seniors. My seniors delegated me the task of being the 1st responsible specialist for all residents. Following their progress, arranging teaching sessions and teaching them the skills that I gained throughout the years of my residency. I was keen on teaching them not only surgical skills but also communication and educational skills. I used to be a responsible doctor towards my colleagues and patients, dedicating my time to improving my skills and taking care of the welfare of my patients as well. Teamwork is the key factor of our speciality success in managing complicated situations that we face, either surgically or medicolegally.

Since 2010, I have been well-trained in managing acutely ill patients. I started my career as a resident in neurosurgery and my main duty was following patients in the ER. I have learnt to categorise patients according to their urgency. Rushing patients to the OR in case of severe haemorrhage or acute decline in conscious level due to extradural hematoma. I have passed my ATLS course 2 times, from which I learnt the steps that should be followed to manage a severely traumatic patient. I have learnt that the 1st step in managing any acutely ill patient is maintaining vital data. History taking is a key role in managing many urgent patients to understand the best approach to treat them. Also, I passed my BLS course in basic life support and learnt how to resuscitate a patient in a condition of code blue or cardiac arrest. My practice always follows the main roles and guidelines of evidence-based medicine. I nurture my knowledge through reading, watching operation videos and seeking advice from my seniors. My practice is always monitored by my seniors and assessed frequently.

I gained appropriate experience throughout my work years as I assisted my consultants in many neurosurgical cases. I used to study and learn from textbooks and observe my seniors in different surgeries till I learned to do operations by myself. One of those surgeries was an operation on an encephalocele child which I managed to perform all steps of the surgery, guided by observation only for weeks.

I learned to record everything about patients. Such as operation records, history sheet and discharge summary. Every day I record the progress notes of the patients' progress and complaints.

I keen on improving and developing my skills. Not only surgical but also communication and educational ones. So I can guarantee that I am a well-trained physician. I experienced various forms of neurosurgical cases with different scenarios. I am a thinking-forward person, so I am always seeking advancement in my career and knowledge. I have to train well before doing any task to be safe for the patient. I have never been shy to follow or ask my seniors for their advice and guidance and follow their orders to keep the patient safe. I am following the recent literature to update my knowledge and watching videos of the recent approaches to various surgeries. I have experienced a wide range of neurosurgical cases, either by assisting consultants or being the main surgeon, especially in spinal degenerative, neuro-traumatic and paediatric cases.

After I finished my residency period and promoted to a specialist, I could operate different surgeries on my own. Spinal degenerative and neuro-traumatic cases were some of the 1st operations that I was trained in. I could also operate congenital cases such as Arnold Chiari syndrome, hydrocephalus and meningocele repair. I have been the 1st assistant in many Neurovascular and oncology cases, but I need to improve my skills in both subspecialities.

I am following the main principles of the NHS good medical practice in my everyday work. progressing my knowledge in helping patients. Keeping patients safe and maintaining the trust between me and patients by being honest and fulfilling their needs. I am working in cooperation with my colleagues to offer the best medical service. I am working also in partnership with my patients to gain their trust

Professional registration:

• General Medical Council ( GMC ). I have a Full registration in APS with a licence to practise from July 2023. My GMC number is 7806357.
• Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, with a membership number: 9445924.
• May 2017 to May 2025 Saudi commission for health specialities. registered as a neurosurgery registrar. My registration number is 17RM0022371.
• Egyptian Medical Syndicate. Registered as a neurosurgery specialist from March 2010. My licence number is 202551.
• Dubai Health Authority (DHA) medical eligibility letter from Feb 2020. DHA unique ID is 46176397.

• Basic Life Support (BLS ): The provider is Al Mouwasat Hospital, Riyadh
  branch, Saudi Arabia. Taken in 2023.
• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS): ATLS Provider Certified,
  American College of Surgeons. Taken in 2023.
• International Computer Driving License. (ICDL): European Computer
  Driving License Foundation. Valid from 2010 to present.

Those audits were held by 2 organisations, the CEBAHI and the JCI. The
survey aimed to confer excellence to our hospital as a professional one to
be a tertiary hospital. Each audit passed through several steps: 1
identifying the problem in our documentation, such as progress notes,
consents, discharge summaries and reports. And the steps that we follow
to manage patients if they are following the standard scientific
guidelines or not. 2 We started to collect data about the standard
approach to dealing with different patients, as I was the representative of
my neurosurgery department, I collected data and followed the integrity
of patients' files over a year former to the survey time. 3 I started to
assess the conformity of the clinical practice with the standard, 4 Then I
started to implement change in the professional documentation and
management of neurosurgical patients in the OR, such as signing in and
out, identifying the surgery team and documentation of any incidental
events. 5 After each audit the loop was closed and preparing ourselves
for a re-audit in 2 years times.

• Description of change in the Saudi Central Board for Accreditation of
  Health Institutions (CEBAHI) audits:
  Date:
  from 01/08/2017 until 2023
  Aim & measure of the change:
  Quality assessment of the professional practice of Al Mouwasat Hospital
  Conclusions/Actions:
  I have been a member of the Audit team of the hospital. to review the
  quality criteria of following the proper and international guidelines in
  dealing with patients, infection control and patients' files auditing. from
  2017 and every 2 years until now. I have participated in 3 Audits.
  That was my most valuable Audit. That change nurtured my relationship
  with my colleagues, who participated in the accreditation process. The
  work environment has become smoother and more understanding
  between all physicians, as all of us have become experts in following the
  international guidelines for improving the hospital workplace.
• 2. Description of change in the Joint commission international (JCI)
  audits:
  Date:
  01/10/2018 until 2022
  Aim & measure of the change:
  Quality assessment of the professional practice of Al Mouwasat Hospital
  Conclusions/Actions:
  I have been a member of the Audit team of the hospital. to review the
  quality criteria of following the proper and international guidelines in
  dealing with patients, infection control and patients' files auditing. from
  2018 and every 2 years until now. I have participated in 2 Audits.

In 2014, I managed to get my Master's degree in neurosurgery from Ain
Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. My degree was obtained through
examinations and a research thesis study. It was a retrospective study,
including 20 patients over 2 years, discussing the comparison of the
outcomes of different modalities of the transsphenoidal approach to
manage pituitary adenoma. Consents were taken from patients and they
were told the purpose of collecting their data for a research purpose. The
result was that there was no difference in the outcome of both
trans-nasal microscopic or endonasal transsphenoidal approaches. The
difference was in the surgeon's experience and the wide field offered by
the endoscopic approach.
Project title:
Different modalities of the transsphenoidal approach of
management of pituitary adenoma
Date:
from March 2011 to March 2013
Aim of research:
Retrospective thesis comparative study, included 20 patients, 10 patient
were operated on by the endoscopic endonasal approach and the other
10 were operated on by the microscopic trans nasal transsphenoidal
approach
Conclusions/Actions:
The tumour excision results have been approximately similar, but while
the microscopic approach was more familiar, the endoscopic approach
offered less complications and
better visualization.
Research qualifications:
Master's Degree in Neurosurgery

• Project title: low back pain management
  Date:
  January 2018
  Aim of the paper:
  Proper management of low back pain
  Conclusions/Actions:
  Chronic pain should be managed medically primarily. if no improvement
  , more investigations should be required for further management by
  injection or surgery.
  It was published on the Al Mouwasat Hospital website.
• Project title: Assessment of the Patient's Conscious Level in the ER
  Date:
  January 2018
  Aim of the paper:
  proper management and assessment of comatose and disturbedconscious level patient
  Conclusions/Actions:
  applying scientific guidelines in examining patients in ER made ER
  physicians more aware to differentiate between neurologically comatose
  patient and metabolic one.
  It was published on Al Mouwasat Hospital website

After I got my GMC registration, I decided to follow the values of the NHS of how to follow the rules of good medical practice principles. so I decided to improve my skills to be in accordance with the NHS values such as Knowledge, skills and performance: 

I keep my knowledge updated: following new papers, and participating in audits. I conducted a research thesis study to get my master's degree in neurosurgery. It
was a comparative study of 20 patients about the outcome of the different modalities of the
transsphenoidal approach. Also, I follow my consultants' instructions and orders to learn from them. Regarding skills, throughout the past 13 years, I have developed my surgical skills, either by assisting in various surgeries or being the main surgeon, especially in spinal
degenerative, neurosurgical traumatic and paediatric cases. Regarding my performance, my
quarter assessment at AL Mouwasat Hospital has been always excellent over the past 6
years. My practice always follows the main roles and guidelines of evidence-based medicine. I nurture my knowledge through reading, watching operation videos and seeking advice from my seniors. My practice is always monitored by my seniors and assessed frequently. Regarding my sources of getting knowledge and updating my information. 

1 Following my seniors and mentors, learning from them and following their steps in
operating on various steps in multiple surgeries. Asking my seniors directly to guide me in
managing patients and to support me in different situations 2 Gaining my Master's degree from the university, for 4 years I attended different lectures and seminars. Recording progress in patients and submitting my dissertations to my supervisors. 3 watching videos of various techniques of managing neurosurgical cases, such as The Neurosurgical Atlas
videos by Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD. 4 Trying to follow and submit to surgical courses, ATLS courses and following updates on the Royal College of England website of the online courses related to Neurosurgery. 5 Greenberg's Handbook of Neurosurgery, with
all its editions, which has always been one of my main sources throughout my career especially at the exam time. 6 Youmans Handbooks, to update and improve my knowledge.

Safety and quality: I always take prompt action if I feel that the patient's safety has been
compromised. I keep the dignity and protect the health of my patients. That has been always my main concern. Patients' care has always been my first concern. I have been working more than my due hours so many times, up to work 7 days a week to follow the
patient's condition, especially the post-operative ones. I have helped my colleagues in the clinic in case of overwhelming conditions and high rates to manage patients' suffering in waiting. I am following up with my nurse staff on the progression of patients' conditions
and being sure that their complaints are well-solved and appreciated. One of my patients
suffered from chronic low back pain and lower limb claudication. He came to the clinic suffering from new evolving lower limb pain. I was reluctant to pay attention, so I prescribed the same medications and assured him. At night he came to the ER complaining of severe calf pain. I examined the patient carefully and asked for a doppler which showed that he had DVT. I apologized to the patient and explained that the symptoms of neuro claudication and vascular are quite similar. I took prompt action to call the vascular surgeon
to follow up, admitting the patient and following him until he improved. The patient was
satisfied and understood the situation. I have never abused my patients or discriminated against them. I have always considered their suffering and complaints. I have paid attention to their words. I always take a prompt action if I feel that the patient's safety is compromised. Duty of a candour is a main principle to me, and I have never been shy to apologise for a mistake or discussing that medical error to the patient. Maintaining trust: by being honest to the patient, I never discriminate among patients. I have always guided the patient in the right direction to feel comfortable, even if that means that he will go and take a second opinion. Evidence-based medicine: the evidence-based guidelines were followed in the management of our patients. An example is when we dealt with OPLL patients and the dilemma of operating them from an anterior or posterior approach. The consensus notion was to operate most of them via a posterior approach to avoid dural tears, however; after following and collecting data from the most recent research studies and papers, we decided to apply the guidelines of the rule of 9 and the k line. This helped us to categorise our patients who will benefit from anterior ACDF and drilling of the osteophyte from others for whom this approach may be harmful. Another example is when to use solumedrol in managing patients with spine fractures and neurological deficits, after following the scientific guidelines, we found that the usage of corticosteroids may cause further complications in patients, so we decided to change the early usage of solumedrol to early intervention and decompression. Repeated audits, along with following evidence-based guidelines have helped us to improve our clinical practice which was reflected in our health service to patients, who became more satisfied and safer than before. Patient safety is the main concern of all doctors. I have never taken any risk in dealing with a patient without knowledge. I always seek help from my colleagues and consultants to manage patients. Patients' data are sacred and secure from being compromised. I always take rapid action to secure patient's safety and dignity.

In comparison with my peers, I can describe myself as a hard-working doctor. I am keen on enhancing the work environment of my colleagues and being sure that all my patients are satisfied. I have struggled a great deal throughout my career period, which extends for 13 years, to earn a suitable experience, qualifying me to follow and manage various neurosurgical cases. I am interested in learning new techniques in neurosurgery to upgrade myself and I have never been shy to ask any of my colleagues to teach me anything new in my field. I can offer a strict commitment to the institution that I am working in, besides total
devotion to my work, provided that my colleagues deal with respect and I find an upgrade in my skull base surgical level. I am not searching for money, as I already get a good salary, but I am always seeking better experience and continuous upgrades in my surgical skills and scientific knowledge. I can offer efficient cooperation and coordination with my colleagues, resulting in better patient outcomes and better communication with both seniors and juniors. I have always dreamt of moving to the UK to gain surgical experience in neurosurgery, in addition to completing my studies, such as a PhD from a respectful college. I am open to understanding and learning new cultures, and I am sure it would be a fruitful experience. I fought throughout the past 6 years until I could pass my FRCS exam and be able to get my GMC registration. I can guarantee good communication and take care of
patients, making their well-being and health conditions my top priority. I can offer excellent care to patients in the pre and post-operative states, and that is due to my appropriate experience in dealing with patients in the ward, ICU and the ER throughout the past years.
I have been detained in my place for 2 years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that is another thing I can offer, that I am a fighter and I have never quit a challenge or massive work conditions. As I mentioned before, I am looking forward to gaining more experience in vascular and skull base neurosurgery and getting access to the most recent advances
in both subspecialties, and that is another reason for moving to the UK. I hope to find a place in that great country. I hope to achieve my dream of being in the UK, nurturing the leadership, management and cooperative skills that I have gained throughout my career.

I have some hobbies, which I use to spend my so little leisure time. I play guitar on some occasions. I like to write stories and poetry. I follow political issues and news in my country and worldwide. I used to play football in the past but because of the work pressure I stopped, now and then I used to go to the gym. I like to go out with friends at the weekend, chill around, visiting new places. Of course, I have also to go out with my girlfriend to spend most of my so little time with. I listen to music and I love hard rock and metal bands.

• Nikolay Peev

     Consultant of neurosurgery at Royal Victoria Hospital

     Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

     Belfast, UK

     GMC reference number: 7089519

     Mobile: 00447709674083

     Email: nikoay.peev@belfasttrust.hscni.net

• Ioannis Spanos
  Current: Consultant and Head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Al
  Mouwasat Hospital
  Former Consultant of Neurosurgery in Greece
  Member of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (
  EANS)
  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  Mobile: 00966554767381
  Email: ioannis.spanos@mouwasat.com

• Yousef Yasin
  Former Consultant of Neurosurgery at Al Mouwasat Hospital, Riyadh,
  Saudi Arabia
  Current: Senior Consultant of Neurosurgery
  Klinikum Dortmund, Germany
  Mobile: +4915258571800
  Email: Yousef.Yasin@klinikumdo.de

• Mohamed Mehrez
  Former consultant of neurosurgery ( Nasr City Insurance Hospital) Cairo,
  Egypt
  Former neurosurgery registrar at Cardiff University Hospital, UK
  Current: Associate Consultant of Neurosurgery ( Security Forces
  Hospital)
  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  Mobile: 00966565534374
  Email: Mmehrez@sfh.med.sa

• Fahad Al-Otaibi

     Current: Consultant of Neurosurgery at Al-Mouwasat Hospital

     Current: Consultant of Neurosurgery at King Fahad Medical City ( with a special interest in Paediatric neurosurgery)

     Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

     Mobile: 00966555559824

     Email:  dr.fahad.o@gmail.com   ( ready to answer )

                 fealotaibi@kfmc.med.sa ( may not respond cause of the security nature of the email)