Autonomic nervous system education in Europe: EAN/EFAS/INUS survey on curricula and skills in autonomic medicine of European neurology residents and consultants

Reis-Carneiro D, Skoric MK, Habek M, Adamec I, Calandra-Buonaura G, Cortelli P, van Dijk JG, Falup-Pecurariu C, Guaraldi P, Hilz MJ, Iodice V, Jordan J, Rocha I, Struhal W, Terkelsen AJ, Thijs R, Tijero B, Berger T, Rektorova I, Moro E, Traon APL, Wenning G, Panicker JN, Fanciulli A (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

DOI: 10.1111/ene.16515

Abstract

Background and purpose: Centers for training in autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders are not widely available and the recent coronavirus 2019 pandemic temporarily reduced training opportunities in autonomic medicine across European countries. Here we evaluated the current state of education, clinical skills and postgraduate educational preferences on ANS disorders of European neurology residents and consultants. Methods: A 23-item questionnaire was developed and distributed online amongst European neurology residents and consultants via mailing lists of the European Academy of Neurology. The questions assessed demographics, current training opportunities and learning preferences in ANS disorders. Six multiple-choice questions were used to self-evaluate knowledge of ANS disorders. Results: In all, 285 individuals answered the survey (60% female, mostly 25–34 years of age). All respondents considered clinical autonomic skills necessary for good clinical neurological practice, and 92% would like to increase their ANS knowledge. Female respondents and those who trained in Southern/Eastern/Greater Europe more frequently judged ANS skills important for clinical practice than male respondents (p = 0.012) and respondents from Northern/Western Europe (p = 0.011). Female and younger respondents felt less confident in managing ANS disorders (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Respondents below 45 years of age (p < 0.001) and those with lower confidence in managing ANS disorders (p = 0.004) were more likely to recommend that ANS education is embedded in the residency curriculum. Conclusions: Most European neurology residents and consultants reported a need for more autonomic education, with additional gender, age and regional differences. These findings underscore the importance of increasing the educational content on autonomic medicine in European medical and postgraduate curricula.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (CHUC) Portugal (PT) Zagreb University Hospital Centre / Klinički bolnički centar Zagreb (KBC) Croatia (HR) IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna (ISNB) Italy (IT) Leiden University Medical Center Netherlands (NL) Transilvania University of Brasov / Universitatea Transilvania din Brașov Romania (RO) University College London (UCL) United Kingdom (GB) Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center Germany (DE) University of Lisbon / Universidade de Lisboa (ULisboa) Portugal (PT) Karl Landsteiner Privatuniversität für Gesundheitswissenschaften GmbH Austria (AT) Aarhus University Denmark (DK) University of Bologna / Università di Bologna Italy (IT) Biocruces Health Research Institute Spain (ES) Medizinische Universität Wien Austria (AT) St. Anne's University Hospital / Sv. Anny v Brně Czech Republic (CZ) Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences (GIN) / Institut des Neurosciences de Grenoble France (FR) Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Toulouse France (FR) Medizinische Universität Innsbruck Austria (AT) National Hospital For Neurology and Neurosurgery United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Reis-Carneiro, D., Skoric, M.K., Habek, M., Adamec, I., Calandra-Buonaura, G., Cortelli, P.,... Fanciulli, A. (2024). Autonomic nervous system education in Europe: EAN/EFAS/INUS survey on curricula and skills in autonomic medicine of European neurology residents and consultants. European Journal of Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.16515

MLA:

Reis-Carneiro, Diogo, et al. "Autonomic nervous system education in Europe: EAN/EFAS/INUS survey on curricula and skills in autonomic medicine of European neurology residents and consultants." European Journal of Neurology (2024).

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