Essential neurological according to of medical experts and academics

Abstract

Introduction. For an accurate diagnosis of neurological disorders, it is important to have an insightful conduct, practical and technical mastery of Neurologic Examination (NE). This, due to its complexity, requires repetitions in a large number of patients to master it. However, this is not possible for non-specialists, causing a state of anxiety since academic life. Objective. Identify and compare the steps considered most important according to country experts and medical students at the Federal University of Maranhão. Method. A questionnaire containing a clinical situation and 47 NE items was applied to be graded from 1 to 4, with 1 – almost never needs to be included and 4 – should always be included. In addition, variables such as gender, working time, whether they have difficulty assimilating Neurology subjects and whether they considered it difficult to perform the NE were answered. Results. Seven Neurologists, eigth Neurosurgeons and 33 students participated. All students reported difficulty in assimilating Neurology subjects and 21 considered the NE difficult to perform. Of the NE stages, the following were considered essential by the specialists: Pupil Reflex, Gait, Arm Tonus, Leg Tonus, Bicipital Reflex, and Extended Arms Test; being only the Pupilar Reflex and the Gait considered important for the students. Conclusion. Neurology represents a difficult academic challenge and fear. The stages of the Neurological Examination considered the most important according to specialists and the students were similar. It can contribute to encourage the construction of protocols to reduce the fear of performing the Neurological Examination.

Keywords: Neurologic Examination; Neurology; Neurosurgery; Students, Medical