title: Neurophobia among general practice trainees: the evidence, perceived causes and solutions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As general practice (GP) is the main source of referrals to neurologists, neurology education for GP trainees is important. We investigated the existence of neurophobia, contributing factors and potential prevention strategies among GP trainees.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a questionnaire survey interest, knowledge, confidence and perceived difficulty in neurology were compared with different medical specialties. Reasons for difficulty with neurology, postgraduate neurology education experience, learning methods and suggested teaching improvements were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 205 GP trainees, 118 (58%) completed the questionnaire. Threshold analyses justified categorical intervals for the Likert responses. Trainees recorded poorer knowledge (p<0.001), less confidence (p<0.001) and more perceived difficulty (p<0.001) with neurology than with any other medical specialty. GP trainees had less interest in neurology than any other medical specialty (Duncan test, p<0.001). There was a similar gradation in difficulty and confidence perception across medical specialties. Hospital and community-based neurology teaching was graded as "poor" or "very poor" by over 60% of GP trainees. There were multiple perceived causes of neurophobia, including neuroanatomy and poor quality teaching. More organised clinical teaching and referral guidance were suggested to address GP neurophobia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurophobia is common among GP trainees in Northern Ireland. GP trainees have clear and largely uniform ideas on improving their neurology education. GP training posts should reflect the importance of neurology within the GP curriculum.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry BT47 6SB, Northern Ireland, UK. Electronic address: markmccarron@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: Mark O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: McCarron
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Statistics, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.affiliation: Aberfoyle Medical Practice, Derry, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Loftus
authors.affiliation: The Queen's University of Belfast Centre for Medical Education, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences, Whitla Medical Building, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McKeown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058006:General Practice / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D009462:Neurology / Q000193:education*; D009660:Northern Ireland
keywords: General practice; Neurology; Postgraduate education