Professional competencies in neurology for general practitioners in a multidisciplinary hospital

BACKGROUND: There is currently no clearly defined list of neurological diseases and conditions that fall within a general practitioner’s professional responsibilities, nor an established set of relevant knowledge and practical skills.

AIM: The study aimed to determine the current professional competencies, as well as the necessary knowledge and practical skills for general practitioners in neurology for providing primary healthcare in a multidisciplinary hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study utilized the Delphi method and included 41 experts who met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS: The primary neurological competencies of a general practitioner focus on the most common nervous system disorders encountered in outpatient practice. The training should emphasize conditions as tension headache, migraine, dizziness, dorsopathy, neuropathy, chronic cerebrovascular disease (including vascular cognitive impairment), and acute cerebral circulatory failure. Required knowledge should encompass diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these conditions. Essential practical skills include assessing motor function (coordination, muscle strength, tendon and pathological reflexes), evaluating tactile and pain sensitivity, and examining meningeal symptoms.

CONCLUSION: A general practitioner’s knowledge and practical skills in neurology in outpatient settings should enable them to diagnose, treat, and prevent common nervous system diseases with stable or mild-to-moderate courses.