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Academia Mexicana de Neurología, A.C.

2017, Number 2

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Rev Mex Neuroci 2017; 18 (2)

Panorama of neurophobia in Mexico

Sánchez-Jordán A, Medina-Rioja R, Díaz-Peregrino R, Cantú-Brito C

Language: Spanish
References: 21
Page: 6-16
PDF size: 408.89 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Background: Neurophobia is the fear of neurosciences and neurology due to an inability to apply knowledge of basic science to clinical scenarios. Neurology is found difficult among medical students. We compared the perception of neurology with other seven major medical disciplines and analysed the cause of neurophobia among mexican medical students.
Methods: We supplied questionnaires among third to sixth year medical students from the National University of Mexico. We evaluated difficulty, knowledge, confidence and interest in neurology compared to other disciplines; we asked why they found neurology difficult to learn and a solution to this problem.
Results: 252 questionnaires were completed. Neurology was perceived as: the most difficult subject (p ‹ 0.05) and the one with the least knowledge (p ‹ 0.05). Neurology was considered difficult due to the complexity of neuroanatomy. Participants suggested neurology teaching might improve with the early integration of clinical and basic sciences.
Conclusion: Despite the size of the sample, the pattern matches with studies previously published. Neurological disorders are emerging as important causes of morbidity and mortality. It is important to identify the contributing factors of neurophobia and correct them so physicians will be able to properly treat these patients.


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