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. 2022 May;43(5):3407-3413.
doi: 10.1007/s10072-021-05641-0. Epub 2021 Dec 9.

A nationwide survey on clinical neurophysiology education in Italian schools of specialization in neurology

Tommaso Bocci #  1   2 , Laura Campiglio #  1   2 , Vincenzo Silani  3 , Alfredo Berardelli  4 , Alberto Priori  5   6
Affiliations

A nationwide survey on clinical neurophysiology education in Italian schools of specialization in neurology

Tommaso Bocci et al. Neurol Sci. 2022 May.

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical neurophysiology deals with nervous system functions assessed with electrophysiological and ultrasound-based imaging techniques. Even though the need for highly specialized neurophysiologists has increased, residency training rarely takes today's requirements into account. This study aimed to snapshot the neurophysiological training provided by Italian specialization schools in neurology.

Methods: A single-page web-based survey comprising 13 multiple-choice categorical and interval scale questions was sent via e-mail to neurology specialization school directors. The survey addressed the programs' structural neurophysiology organization, time dedicated to each clinical neurophysiology subspecialty, and descriptors assessing the discipline's importance (e.g., residents who attempted residential courses, gained certifications, or awards gained).

Results: The most studied neurophysiological techniques were electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG). Most specialization schools devoted less than 3 months each to multimodal evoked potentials (EPs), ultrasound sonography (US), and intra-operative monitoring. Of the 35 specialization schools surveyed, 77.1% reported that four students, or fewer, participated in the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology Examination in Neurophysiology. Of the 35 specialization centers surveyed, 11.4% declared that the final evaluation required students to discuss a neurophysiological test.

Discussion: Our survey underlined the poorly standardized technical requirements in postgraduate neurology specialization schools, wide variability among training programs, and limited training on multi-modal evoked potentials, intraoperative monitoring, and sonography. These findings underline the need to reappraise and improve educational and training standards for clinical neurophysiology during postgraduate specialization schools in neurology with an international perspective.

Keywords: Clinical neurophysiology; Medical education; Specialization in neurology; Training in neurophysiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Geographical localization of the schools enrolled
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Histograms showing the cumulative time, in months, dedicated to postgraduate training in neurophysiology (at the top) and the time spent for each technique (EEG, electroencephalography; NCS/EMG, nerve conduction studies/electromyography; MEP, multimodal evoked potentials; IOM, intra-operative monitoring)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Secondary outcomes. The charts show the reported participation of residents in neurology reserved to congresses, residential courses, and to the Italian certification in clinical neurophysiology
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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