Lack of Accredited Clinical Training in Movement Disorders in Europe, Egypt, and Tunisia
Gertrúd Tamás, Margherita Fabbri, Cristian Falup‐Pecurariu, Tiago Teodoro, Mónica Kurtis, Rahim Aliyev, Michael Bonello, Hana Brožová, Miguel Soares Coelho, Maria Fiorella Contarino, Jean‐Christophe Corvol, Espen Dietrichs, Mouna Ben Djebara, Søren Bruno Elmgreen, Sergiu Groppa, Liis Kadastik‐Eerme, Irine Khatiashvili, Vladimir Kostić, Florian Krismer, Alia H. Mansour, Per Odin, Olga Gavriliuc, Diana A. Olszewska, Maja Relja, Filip Scheperjans, Matěj Škorvánek, Katarzyna Śmiłowska, Pille Taba, Zaruhi Tavadyan, Ramona Valante, Balsa Vujović, Daniel Waldvogel, Gül Yalçın Çakmaklı, Shilpa Chitnis, Joaquim J. Ferreira
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little information is available on the official postgraduate and subspecialty training programs in movement disorders (MD) in Europe and North Africa. OBJECTIVE: To survey the accessible MD clinical training in these regions. METHODS: We designed a survey on clinical training in MD in different medical fields, at postgraduate and specialized levels. We assessed the characteristics of the participants and the facilities for MD care in their respective countries. We examined whether there are structured, or even accredited postgraduate, or subspecialty MD training programs in neurology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, geriatrics, neuroradiology, neuropediatrics, and general practice. Participants also shared their suggestions and needs. RESULTS: The survey was completed in 31/49 countries. Structured postgraduate MD programs in neurology exist in 20 countries; structured neurology subspecialty training exists in 14 countries and is being developed in two additional countries. Certified neurology subspecialty training was reported to exist in 7 countries. Recommended reading lists, printed books, and other materials are the most popular educational tools, while courses, lectures, webinars, and case presentations are the most popular learning formats. Mandatory activities and skills to be certified were not defined in 15/31 countries. Most participants expressed their need for a mandatory postgraduate MD program and for certified MD sub-specialization programs in neurology. CONCLUSION: Certified postgraduate and subspecialty training exists only in a minority of European countries and was not found in the surveyed Egypt and Tunisia. MD training should be improved in many countries.