| Abstrakt: |
Background: Child neurology is a complex medical specialty which involves distinct areas of knowledge. Presently, in Brazil, there are 26 child neurology residency programs. Science and education have considerably developed in the last twenty years, so data about the present scenario in this area are needed. Objective: To investigate the current scenario of child neurology residency programs in Brazil. Methods: The medical in charge of each of the 26 residency child neurology programs in Brazil were invited to fulfill an online structured questionnaire that included information about the hospital's physical structures, accessibility to exams and medical specialties, medical teams, and residents' performance. A descriptive analysis characterized the sample. Quantitative and qualitative variables were expressed as means and standard deviations (SDs), and as frequencies and percentages, respectively. Results: Twenty-three (23/26; 88%) invited directors fulfilled the questionnaire. Considering the physical structure, 21 (91.3%) residencies are located in teaching hospitals. Child neurology is a consultant medical specialty in 13 (56.5%) hospitals. The average number of hospital beds in pediatric ward is 72.9 (SD±91.7), and in child neurology ward is 2.4 (SD±3.9). Referring to neuroimaging, brain ultrasonography and brain CT are available in all centers, and MRI in 16 (69.6%). The genetic, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and radiology specialties are accessible in most centers. Epilepsy, general child neurology, and neurodevelopmental disorders represent the higher number of patients in the outpatient clinics. The child neurology staff is formed by a mean of 5.9 (SD±2.6) tutors. There is a mean of 2.9 (SD±1.3) annually vacancies for child neurology medical residents. Around 2.5 candidates per year are pediatricians, and 0.7 are neurologists. Considering medical residents' performance, professors evaluated that by the end of their training, their ethical posture as excellent or good. The knowledge about neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and semiology was rated as good, as well as interpretation and understanding of genetic tests. Their ability to indicate neuroimaging exams, such as CT or MRI, was considered excellent. Conclusions: This survey comprehended almost all child neurology residency programs in Brazil, delineating the physical structure, medical team, availability of exams, and residents' performance. Future studies might use this scenario to establish improvement measures in residency programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
