The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Board and Scientific Committee are pleased to announce the creation of a Neurological Emergency Medicine Task Force. EAN Task Forces are special working groups that fall under the auspices of the EAN Scientific Committee. They are put in place to tackle a specific issue and are dissolved upon reaching their goals. Task Forces meet regularly online and in person during the EAN Congress.
Many emergency department patients present with neurological symptoms, varying between 8-15% depending on the region. These patients are usually assessed by emergency medicine physicians or other specialists, with neurologists often only consulted when needed. Studies suggest the quality of care could be improved if neurologists were the primary providers. Fast, accurate diagnosis is critical for timely treatment, particularly for conditions like stroke, epilepsy, and meningitis. Misdiagnoses of neurological emergencies are common, contributing to diagnostic errors. To address these issues, it was decided to establish a Task Force within the EAN. This Task Force would aim to unify European efforts in improving neurological emergency care, define necessary knowledge for emergency neurology, support database and guideline development, and enhance education for both neurologists and non-neurologists involved in neurological emergencies. Public awareness of the importance of neurological emergency would also be prioritised.
If you are interested in joining this important Task Force, please send your CV and short motivational letter (ca. 250 words) to scientific@ean.org by 22 October 2024. Applications will be evaluated by the Scientific Committee based on the applicants’ relevant experience, motivation, qualifications, and overall composition of the group, aiming for a balanced gender and country representation.
