Vitalie Lisnic
Teaching and education are an important aspects of the EFNS congresses. In Budapest at the 15th EFNS Congress the participants in the Teaching Course (TC) were asked to fill in a questionnaire about themselves, their professional carrier and satisfaction about the congress program and attended TC. The profile of the participants in the TC was analyzed based on 557 filled in forms. This analyze was done for the seventh time since 2005 (EFNS Congress in Athens).
The most of participants are MD (70.0%). 19.8% are as well PhD. The percentage of residents in neurology among participants in the TC is high (16.6%), 2% are students. The participants are of different age categories. The majority (31.8%) have between 41 and 50 years old. 21,4% are older than 50 years. Participants younger than 30 years are only 12.0%. An insignificant male predominance among participants – 1.05/1 can be noticed.
The absolute majority of participants are neurologists (87.1%). The TC are attended as well by physicians of other specialties: psychiatrists -3.1%, neurosurgeons – 1.3%, radiologists – 0.7% etc.
In the majority of cases the participation in the congress and TC is sponsored by a company – 48.1%. A significant part of participants (46.0%) come by own means. In 4.5% cases the participation is covered by EFNS bursary, in 1.4% – by EFNS tournament. Bursary of the national society as source of participation is mentioned by 0.7% participants.
The majority is satisfied with the structure and quality of the TC, scientific and educational sessions, industry representation, and social events. At the same time 38.1% propose to decrease the registration fee.
The most requested TC are movement disorders, cerebrovascular disorders and neuroimaging/neurophysiology, followed by epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, headache and pain, latest development in neurology. At the same time all the compartments of neurology are mentioned as of interest for future organization of the TC.
It will be necessary to consider the expressed willing of the participants for the future organization of the EFNS TC. They would like to have more practical courses (also advanced)/ more case presentations, including videos. The handouts should be better and include more information, all the slides, summary of the lecture and take-home message. These handouts could be placed on CD or USB stick/Internet. The participants suggest repeating some TC during the congress and not to hold all the courses in parallel, organizing more hands-on courses. More interactivity and time for discussion will be welcome.
The majority of the participants thank for the excellent organization of the TC, with nice handouts, a great support for the young neurologists.
The TC syllabi of the Budapest Congress can be found in the e-Education area of the EFNS website. You can read the texts and answer the related self-tests. If you have answered all the questions you will receive a certificate recommending 1 hour of CME.
Vitalie Lisnic is Professor of Neurology at the University of Medicine in Chisinau, Moldova and member of the EFNS Training and Education Committee
