Medical education and the challenge of neurological disability.

Ward, C D

doi:10.1136/jnnp.55.suppl.54

Cited by 8 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Promoting and expanding the pediatric neurology specialty are critical, particularly given that many cases seen by general pediatricians are primarily neurological accounting for up to 30% of all consultations to pediatrics with a high ratio of follow-up visits to new patients [1][2][3]. The assessment and management of neurological disorders requires specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which can be supported by medical education [20]. However, some authors have found a decline in general neurology education and that the education was deficient in training physicians to manage gen-eral neurological disorders [21,22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pediatric neurologists in Saudi Arabia: An audit of current practice

Jan

2015

J Pediatr Neurol

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Pediatric neurological disorders are common and constitute up to 30% of children seen in general pediatrics. Information about the availability and practice of pediatric neurologists is vital for strategic planning of management of neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to audit current pediatric neurology services in Saudi Arabia and establish a correlation with regional population figures. Physicians practicing in the field of pediatric neurology in Saudi Arabia were identified and contacted. A structured 17-item questionnaire designed to examine their clinical practice was completed and validated by a follow-up interview. Thirty-two full-time hospital based pediatric neurologists were concentrated in the 3 most heavily populated regions of the country. Saudi Arabia as a whole had a ratio of 0.4 pediatric neurologists per 100,000 children <15 years of age given that 38.3% of the general population was <15 years at the time of the study. Pediatric neurologists had an average of 3 half-day clinics per week with an average of 13.4 patients per clinic. The ratio of follow-up visits to new patients was 3:1. Waiting times for a new non-urgent consultation ranged from 1?6 months (mean 3.4 months). Inpatient hospital admissions ranged from 1?20 (mean 6.5) per week with an average of 5.7 in-hospital consultations per week. Major deficiencies were identified in the availability of specialized nurses, occupational therapists, and psychologists. The study documents a significant shortage of pediatric neurologists in our country. The currently practicing neurologists are required to see many patients with long waiting lists and inadequate support services in many institutions. I feel that a strong demand exists to train and recruit more pediatric neurologists and that generalists and pediatricians need to continue to take a proactive role in the routine care of children with neurological disorders in Saudi Arabia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pediatric neurologists in Saudi Arabia: An audit of current practice

Jan

2015

J Pediatr Neurol

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“…In other words, completing the pediatric residency did not alter the difficulties they felt in handling neurologic cases. Although the assessment and management of neurologic disorders require specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which can be supported by medical education, 12 some investigators have found a decline in general neurology education and that the education was deficient in training physicians to manage general neurologic disorders. 9,13 The education of medical students about epilepsy, for example, a very common pediatric neurology problem, was often fragmented and incomplete.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perception of Pediatric Neurology Among Non-neurologists

Jan

2004

J Child Neurol

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Pediatric neurology is considered a relatively new and evolving subspecialty. In Saudi Arabia, neurologic disorders in children are common, and the demand for trained pediatric neurologists is strong. The aim was to study the perception of the pediatric neurology specialty among practicing generalists and their referral practices. Attendees of a symposium on pediatric epilepsy comprehensive review for the generalist were included. A structured 25-item questionnaire was designed to examine their demographics, training, practice, and referral patterns. One hundred nineteen participants attended the symposium, and 90 (76%) questionnaires were returned. Attendees' ages were 22 to 70 years (mean 32 years), with 65.5% female physicians. There were 32% consultants, 51% trainees, and 17% students. Most physicians (67%) were practicing general pediatrics. Only 36% received a structured pediatric neurology rotation during training. Children with neurologic complaints constituted 28.5% of those seen in their practice, and they referred 32.5% of them to pediatric neurology. Only 32% were moderately or highly confident in making the diagnosis or providing the appropriate treatment. Those who received a structured pediatric neurology rotation felt more comfortable in their management (P = .03). Many physicians (38.5%) had no direct access to a pediatric neurologist for referrals. To conclude, pediatric neurologic disorders are common in daily practice. Most generalists did not receive a structured neurology rotation during their training and were not highly confident in diagnosing and treating these children. Given the limited number of pediatric neurologists, I highly recommend that generalists receive appropriate neurologic training.

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Attitudes and Perceptions of Medical Students Toward Neurosurgery

Akhigbe

Sattar

2014

World Neurosurgery

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Medical education and the challenge of neurological disability.

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

Pediatric neurologists in Saudi Arabia: An audit of current practice

Pediatric neurologists in Saudi Arabia: An audit of current practice

Perception of Pediatric Neurology Among Non-neurologists

Attitudes and Perceptions of Medical Students Toward Neurosurgery

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