Neurofobia entre médicos residentes en los servicios de urgencias / Neurophobia among resident physicians in the emergency service

Introducción La neurofobia se define como el miedo hacia la neurología que surge de la incapacidad para aplicar los conocimientos teóricos a situaciones clínicas prácticas. Este fenómeno parece no limitarse únicamente a estudiantes de medicina, pero no se dispone de estudios previos en el ámbito de urgencias. Este trabajo valora la percepción de conocimientos en las distintas patologías neurológicas urgentes por parte de médicos en formación y posibles motivos de neurofobia. Material y métodos. Se trata de un estudio transversal multicéntrico mediante encuestas autoadministradas a médicos en formación de todo el Servicio Aragonés de Salud. Se interrogó sobre su miedo a la neurología y otras especialidades médicas, posibles causas y percepción de conocimientos en patologías neurológicas en el servicio de urgencias. Resultados Se obtuvieron 134 respuestas. El 27,6% (37) sufría neurofobia. La neurología fue la tercera disciplina que mayor interés despertó, pero se considera la de mayor dificultad. Las áreas en las que mayor seguridad mostraron fueron las cefaleas y la patología vascular. Donde mayor inseguridad existía fue en la neuromuscular, la neurooftalmología y la lesión medular aguda. En ninguna de las áreas hubo un porcentaje mayor del 50% que se sintiera seguro o muy seguro. Conclusiones La neurofobia está presente entre los médicos en formación que desempeñan su labor en los servicios de urgencias. Su distribución depende del grado de exposición a los pacientes. Los neurólogos debemos desempeñar un papel activo en la formación de nuevos especialistas y promover la colaboración con los servicios de urgencias. (AU)

INTRODUCTION Neurophobia is defined as the fear towards clinical neurology caused by the inability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical clinical situations. This phenomenon is not restricted to medical students and has never been studied before in the Emergency Department. We aimed to study how resident doctors perceive their knowledge in neurology and urgent neurological conditions as well as possible causes for said fears. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cross-sectional multicentric study using self-administered surveys sent to medical residents within the Aragon Health Service. They were questioned about their fear of neurology and other medical specialties, possible causes, and perception of knowledge in neurological pathologies and subareas in the emergency service. RESULTS We obtained 134 responses. 27.6% (37) suffered from neurophobia. Despite neurology being considered the most difficult discipline, it did also arouse the third most interest among the students. The areas where they showed the most confidence were headaches and vascular pathology. The areas where they felt the most insecure were neuromuscular diseases, neuro-ophthalmology, and spinal cord injury. In none of the areas surveyed, the percentage of respondents who felt secure exceeded 50%. CONCLUSIONS Neurophobia is prevalent among trainee doctors working in the emergency department. Their confidence correlates with the degree of exposure to patients. Neurologist must play an active role in the education of new specialist and promote the collaboration with emergency departments. (AU)

Neurofobia entre los estudiantes de medicina de una universidad española: experiencias más allá de la anglosfera / Neurophobia among undergraduate medical students: a European experience beyond the Anglosphere

Introducción: Definimos neurofobia como el miedo a las neurociencias y la neurología clínica, fundamentalmente asociado a la falta de capacidad del estudiante para aplicar sus conocimientos teóricos. Esta sensación, bien contrastada en el sistema anglosajón, ha sido poco estudiada en otros territorios europeos y nunca en nuestro país. Nuestro objetivo es analizar si este miedo hacia la neurología también existe entre estudiantes de una universidad española. Material y métodos. Estudio mediante encuestas autoadministradas a estudiantes de segundo, cuarto y sexto año de medicina de la Universidad de Zaragoza durante los cursos académicos 2020-2021 y 2021-2022. Cuestionario de 18 preguntas que recoge la percepción hacia la neurología y el resto de las neurociencias y su comparación con respecto a otras especialidades médicas. Resultados: De los 320 encuestados, el 34,1% sufriría neurofobia y tan sólo el 31,2% tendría claro a qué se dedica un neurólogo. A pesar de ser la especialidad considerada más difícil, es también la que mayor interés despierta. Los principales motivos para ese miedo son una enseñanza eminentemente teórica (59,4%), la neuroanatomía (47,8%) y una falta de integración entre las asignaturas de neurociencias (39,5%). Las soluciones consideradas de mayor peso por los alumnos para revertir esta situación irían en esa línea. Conclusiones: La neurofobia es también un problema en la formación universitaria española. Identificada la metodología docente como una de sus causas fundamentales, los neurólogos tenemos la oportunidad y la obligación de intentar revertir esta situación. Para ello, será necesario participar activamente en la formación de los futuros médicos desde las etapas más tempranas del grado.(AU)

Introduction: Neurophobia is defined as the fear of the neural sciences and clinical neurology that is due to the students’ inability to apply their knowledge of basic sciences to clinical situations. This phenomenon, well documented in the Anglosphere, has seldom been studied in other European countries and never in our country. Our study aimed to determine whether said fear existed among Spanish medical students. Material and methods: A self-administered questionnaire with 18 items was sent to medical students in the second, fourth and sixth years of medical school at a Spanish university during the academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. They were questioned about their fears regarding neurology and neurosciences, causes and potential solutions. Results: Out of 320 responses, 34.1% suffered from neurophobia and only 31.2% felt confident they knew what neurologists do. Despite Neurology being considered the most difficult discipline, it did also arouse the most interest among the students. Main reasons identified for neurophobia were too theoretical lectures (59.4%), neuroanatomy (47.8%), and a lack of integration between neuroscience subjects (39.5%). Solutions considered most important by the students to reverse this situation went along those lines. Conclusion: Neurophobia is prevalent among Spanish medical students too. Having identified the teaching methodology as one of its fundamental causes, neurologists have the opportunity and obligation to reverse this situation. We should strive for more proactive involvement of neurologists at earlier stages of medical education.

Challenges for learning neuroradiology in undergraduate medical school: analysis from the students' point of view / Desafios para o aprendizado de neurorradiologia na graduação médica: análise do ponto de vista discente

Abstract: Introduction: The teaching of neuroradiology in undergraduate medical school must be seen as an integration tool for the interdisciplinary study of radiology, anatomy and neurology. In practice, there is a limitation on the part of students in acquiring such knowledge, either due to "neurophobia", or due to the lack of previous anatomical-radiological knowledge and also due to the lack of integrated didactic materials aimed at undergraduate school. However, there are few studies reporting the difficulties encountered by students in learning neuroradiology. Objective: To assess the perception of medical students about learning difficulties in neuroradiology. Method: Quantitative study, carried out with medical students enrolled in the second and seventh semesters of a university in Fortaleza. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire with 12 yes or no answer questions. The questions addressed the possible difficulties encountered in acquiring neuroradiological knowledge, among them: the lack of targeted didactic material, the lack of integration with neurology, the need for basic radiological and anatomical knowledge, the large volume of content to study, and the limitations of active and traditional methodologies. Results: 181 questionnaires were analyzed. Most students report as difficulties: the need for basic knowledge of radiology (80.1%); neuroanatomy (77.5%); and to correlate radiology and neuroanatomy (70.9%). When comparing the 2nd semester and 7th semester groups, there was a greater tendency to point out the lack of practical knowledge of neurology by 2nd-semester students as a factor of greater difficulty in learning neuroradiology (82.6% versus 67.4 %, with p <0.0018). When asked about the usefulness of creating an e-book aimed at undergraduate students for learning neuroradiology, 85.6% of the students answered affirmatively; in the case of a mobile application, 92.3% agreed. As for the correlation between neuroradiology and medical practice, 98.3% answered that it is useful and necessary knowledge. Conclusion: In the students' opinion, previous knowledge of neuroanatomy and clinical neurology is important for learning neuroradiology. The development of material such as an e-book or mobile application focused on integrating the teaching of these disciplines is considered a good alternative to facilitate the understanding of neuroradiology.

Resumo: Introdução: O ensino da neurorradiologia na graduação médica deve ser encarado como uma ferramenta de integração para o estudo interdisciplinar de radiologia, anatomia e neurologia. Na prática, percebe-se uma limitação dos alunos em adquirir tais conhecimentos, seja pela "neurofobia", seja pela falta de conhecimentos anatômico-radiológicos prévios e também pela carência de materiais didáticos integrados direcionados para a graduação. Contudo, há poucos trabalhos relatando as dificuldades encontradas pelos alunos no aprendizado de neurorradiologia . Objetivo: Avaliar a percepção dos estudantes de medicina sobre as dificuldades do aprendizado em neurorradiologia. Método: Estudo quantitativo, realizado com estudantes de medicina matriculados no segundo e no sétimo semestres de uma universidade de Fortaleza. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de questionário estruturado com 12 questões de respostas sim ou não. As questões versaram sobre as possíveis dificuldades encontradas para aquisição do conhecimento neurorradiológico, dentre elas: à carência de material didático direcionado, à falta de integração com a neurologia, à necessidade de conhecimentos básicos radiológicos e anatômicos, ao volume de assunto, e às limitações das metodologias ativas e tradicionais. Resultados: Foram analisados 181 questionários. Grande parte discente refere como dificuldade a necessidade de ter conhecimentos básicos prévios de radiologia (80,1%); de neuroanatomia (77,5%); e de correlacionar radiologia e neuroanatomia (70,9%). Quando comparados os grupos do 2o semestre e do 7o semestre, houve uma tendência maior a apontar a ausência de conhecimento prático de neurologia pelos alunos do 2o semestre como um fator de maior dificuldade para o aprendizado de neurorradiologia (82,6% versus 67,4%, com p<0,0018). Quando perguntados sobre a utilidade da criação de um e-Book direcionado para a graduação para o aprendizado de neurorradiologia, 85,6% dos alunos responderam afirmativamente; no caso de um aplicativo, 92,3% concordaram. Quanto à correlação entre a neurorradiologia e a prática médica, 98,3% responderam que é um conhecimento útil e necessário. Conclusão: Na opinião dos estudantes, os conhecimentos prévios de neuroanatomia e de neurologia clínica são importantes para o aprendizado de neurorradiologia. A elaboração de um material como e-book ou aplicativo com foco em integrar o ensino dessas disciplinas é considerada uma boa alternativa para facilitar a compreensão da neurorradiologia.

Neurofobia en estudiantes de postgrado en Medicina Interna

RESUMEN Introducción: la neurofobia es la percepción hacia la neurología como difícil y desagradable. Objetivos: determinar la frecuencia de neurofobia en estudiantes de postgrado de Medicina Interna del Hospital de Clínicas, Hospital Nacional de Itauguá, Hospital Militar Central e Instituto de Previsión Social. Materiales y métodos: diseño observacional y descriptivo de corte transversal. La herramienta utilizada fue un cuestionario diseñado para identificar la afinidad o aversión hacia las diferentes subespecialidades que componen la medicina interna y posteriormente, re interrogar sobre las eventuales causas subjetivas de la misma. Resultados: se incluyeron 56 estudiantes. Se encontró que 54% presenta neurofobia, 63,3% identificó la falta de conocimientos en neurología básica como la causa más importante, seguido por 50% que refiere la complejidad propia de la anamnesis y examen físico asociado a las patologías neurológicas. Conclusiones: más de la mitad de los estudiantes de postgrado de Medicina Interna presenta neurofobia, lo cual es alarmante debido a que una tercera parte de la patología humana es de orden neurológico y por tanto será parte de su ejercicio médico diario.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Neurophobia is the perception of neurology as difficult and unpleasant. Objective: To determine the frequency of neurophobia in internal medicine postgraduate students of the Clinical Hospital, National Hospital of Itauguá, Central Military Hospital and Institute of Social Security. Materials and methods: This was an observational descriptive cross-sectional study. The tool used was a questionnaire designed to identify the affinity or aversion towards the different subspecialties that compose the internal medicine and later, to interrogate on the possible subjective causes of the aversion. Results: Fifty six students were included. It was found that 54% presented neurophobia, 63.3% identified the lack of knowledge in basic neurology as the most important cause, followed by 50% that referred to the complexity of the anamnesis and physical examination associated with neurological pathologies. Conclusions: More than half of the internal medicine postgraduate students present neurophobia, which is alarming because one-third of human pathology is neurological and therefore will be part of their daily medical practice.