Neurophobia in internal medicine postgraduate students

Abstract

Introduction: Neurophobia is the perception of neurology as difficult and unpleasant. Objective: To determine the frequency of neurophobia in internal medicine postgraduate students of the Clinical Hospital, National Hospital of Itauguá, Central Military Hospital and Institute of Social Security. Materials and methods: This was an observational descriptive cross-sectional study. The tool used was a questionnaire designed to identify the affinity or aversion towards the different subspecialties that compose the internal medicine and later, to interrogate on the possible subjective causes of the aversion. Results: Fifty six students were included. It was found that 54% presented neurophobia, 63.3% identified the lack of knowledge in basic neurology as the most important cause, followed by 50% that referred to the complexity of the anamnesis and physical examination associated with neurological pathologies. Conclusions: More than half of the internal medicine postgraduate students present neurophobia, which Autor correspondiente: Dr. David Morínigo Correo electrónico: davidmorinigo80@hotmail.com Teléfono: +595.982296431 Dirección: Hospital de Clínicas. San Lorenzo, Paraguay