[Neurology--may recruitment cover the demand?].
New therapeutic possibilities have recently been introduced for many neurological disorders. The demand for specialists is, accordingly, increasing. To investigate the present status, and to give some ideas as to the future recruitment of neurologists, a questionnaire study has been performed among all neurological departments and their residents. In addition, figures from The Norwegian Medical Association have been analyzed. In October 1995, Norway had 209 neurologists, of whom 165 were of working age (67 years or younger). Of a total of 115 positions for neurologists in regional and county hospitals, 16 were vacant. The posts in hospitals with no neurological beds were most frequently vacant. An average of 7-8 new neurologists are now educated annually. This is slightly higher than the annual number of retirements, resulting in a net increase in the number of neurologists. However, this positive trend will be reversed as the retirement rate increases around year 2010. The residents were generally enthusiastic about working with neurological patients and wished to complete their appointments. The number of neurologists in Norway is too low compared with international standards. In order to obtain a satisfactory neurological service the recruitment rate needs to be increased.
Bovim
G
G
Nevrologisk avdeling, Regionsykehuset i Trondheim.
Gilhus
N E
NE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D009462:Neurology / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D009664:Norway; D010560:Personnel Selection; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload