If at all we had protocols – how should it be?

At the end of the conference – Neuro-trauma 2012, I realised that we are having a diverse practice patterns throughout the country. To the best of my knowledge, every neurosurgeon [with the exception of a few] were adjusting and reinventing methods to deliver the very basic of care to the patients who come to them. Whether it be in the high end ICU of AIIMS and NIMHANS or be it in the remote centres like Ratnagiri the purpose is the same – if possible save the patient. Out of my own experience the facility of the internet, I have chosen a format which is practicable in my environment both economically and morally. Since neurosurgery is tech-intensive, one has to choose what is viable.  If we keep the same objective in mind, development of protocols should not be a problem. I therefore suggest 2 levels of protocol formation – Protocol 1 and Protocol 2. Protocol 1 should be the best as per the international standards where as the protocol 2 should be a scientifically logical and basic and economically rational option to be followed by all neurosurgeons through-out the country. In this respect we should take examples from the protocols developed by the Indian Association of Paediatrics [IAP].