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Background and objectives: Neurosurgery is a challenging specialty that requires comprehensive theoretical knowledge and an understanding of tailored patient management strategies. Traditional neurosurgical education, based primarily on face-to-face lectures and localized teaching methods, faces challenges in adapting to the increasing diversity of patients, medical professionals and students worldwide. In addition, differences in neurosurgical guidelines and management approaches between countries may create some gaps. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) offers a novel solution by enabling virtual exchange, fostering international collaboration, and providing students with the opportunity to explore neurosurgical guidelines and management plans in diverse cultural and clinical contexts.

Methods: A pilot study was conducted to design, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of COIL in neurosurgical training. Two online workshops were jointly designed and delivered by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany, and the University of Dundee, United Kingdom. The workshops focused on core neurosurgical topics and were co-designed by faculty and medical students from both institutions to ensure relevance and engagement. 15 medical students, 11 from Berlin and 4 from Dundee, participated in the workshops. Sessions included interactive case discussions and cross-cultural teamwork activities.

Results: Participants reported overall positive evaluations, highlighting the interactive and collaborative nature of the workshops. The workshops promoted not only academic growth, but also cultural awareness and professional networking among students. Organising students and faculty gained valuable insights into cross-institutional collaboration, including the importance of clear communication, adaptability to different technological environments, the value of student involvement in curriculum design and through their role in advertisement and planning.

Discussion: This pilot study demonstrated that COIL is a feasible and effective teaching method for neurosurgical training. The positive evaluations highlight its potential to improve learning outcomes and foster global collaboration. Future iterations could explore hybrid models incorporating both virtual and face-to-face elements and extend COIL to other medical specialties.

COIL offers a scalable and effective approach to neurosurgical education, breaking down geographical barriers and enriching the learning experience through global collaboration. Early involvement of students in co-design increases engagement and ensures relevance of educational content.