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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Medical education about headache
        
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Sep 26^th, 2007, 8:29am)

Title: Medical education about headache
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 26^th, 2007, 8:29am

Abstract statements from a study of headache education in medical programs. Second para. specific to neurological residency training. Gives good idea of why it's difficult to find a sharp doc.

I should have anticipated the first two replies by commenting:
the levels of education reflect, in part, the frequency of conditions which docs will most likely see in their practices. We are a distinct--thank goodness--minority. And also suggests why there are so many specialities and sub-specialities. There is just too much medical knowledge for everyone to know/learn/keep up to date. When you get into a large medical center you see this reality.

=========================
"Objective. To explore the extent of headache education received by medical students and residents.
Background. Headache is a common, often severe, and sometimes disabling problem. However, 49% of sufferers do not seek professional treatment -- of those who do, only 28% are very satisfied. One possible reason is limited education of physicians about headache.
Methods. Surveys were sent to all allopathic and osteopathic medical schools, 200 family medicine residencies, and all 126 neurology residencies. Information requested included the amount and perceived adequacy of headache education and any plans to increase headache education.
Results. Response rates were 35% to 40%. Medical school lecture hours ranged from 0 (4%) to >5 (24%) with 92% having no plans for an increase in headache education. Family Medicine residency lecture hours ranged from 1-3 (30%) to >5 (34%) and case presentations from 1-5 (23%) to >5 (41%), with 88% of program directors having no plans for increase. Neurology residency lecture hours ranged from 1-3 (11%) to >5 (64%) and case presentations from 1-5 (23%) to >10 (57%), with 80% having no plans for increase.
Conclusion. Undergraduate medical education in headache is limited. Despite medical schools perceiving their training as adequate, both neurology and family practice residency program directors believe entering residents are inadequately prepared in headache upon entering the program."

"Neurology Residency Programs
Neurology residency program lecture hours varied from 1 to 3 hours (11%) to >5 hours (64%) (Figure 2). The number of case presentations ranged from 1-5 (23%) to >10 (57%) (Figure 6). Forty-two (95%) of program directors believed that their headache education was adequate (Figure 4). Interestingly, 20% of neurology programs indicated plans to increase training in headache management. Similar to the family practice programs, 68% of the program directors believed that new residents had inadequate knowledge about headaches upon entering the program while only 11% of the program directors believed that their residents were well informed about headache."

Title: Re: Medical education in headache
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 26^th, 2007, 12:50pm

That's just sad Bob. Thanks for sharing.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Medical education in headache
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 26^th, 2007, 12:52pm

Thank you for posting this Bob. I've said this to people for years based on the Neurologist who spoke at the convention in New York told us, but it really helps to have this article here to back it up.

And we wonder why our Dr.s are so reluctant to prescribe 02 or treat us with credibility or why we have have to be our own best advocate in our treatment. It's just sad really. :-/

Linda

Title: Re: Medical education in headache
Post by sandie99 on Sep 26^th, 2007, 1:43pm

It is sad, beyond sad actually. A tragedy!

I wonder what are the numbers back in here... Probably not any better.

That makes another interesting thing to write to the member of Finnish parliament/senator, who is the president of Finland's Migraine Assosiation (yup, clusterheads are part of that in here) and ask her if there are any plans from the health and social ministry's part to do something about that.

Sanna

Title: Re: Medical education about headache
Post by Lonnie on Oct 2^nd, 2007, 10:42am

Thanks for the post. You know it's not really that anyone expects sympathy, although sometimes thats nice. However, it is just sad when health care prof. don't understand......

Title: Re: Medical education about headache
Post by BarbaraD on Oct 2^nd, 2007, 12:47pm

And the newbies here wonder why we say "We have to 'educate" the docs on OUR treatment!"

This is really sad. And what makes it worse is that some of these little "new" docs think they know EVERYTHING!

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Medical education about headache
Post by Miz_D on Oct 2^nd, 2007, 3:22pm

Really appreciate you posting this info...this is really sad!