RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Primary care perceptions of neurology and neurology services
JF Postgraduate Medical Journal
JO Postgrad Med J
FD The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine
SP 318
OP 321
DO 10.1136/postgradmedj-2015-133683
VO 92
IS 1088
A1 Loftus, Angela M
A1 Wade, Carrie
A1 McCarron, Mark O
YR 2016
UL http://pmj.bmj.com/content/92/1088/318.abstract
AB Background Neurophobia (fear of neural sciences) and evaluation of independent sector contracts in neurology have seldom been examined among general practitioners (GPs).Methods A questionnaire determined GPs’ perceptions of neurology compared with other medical specialties. GP experiences of neurology services with independent sector companies and the local National Health Service (NHS) were compared. Areas of potential improvement in NHS neurology services were recorded from thematic analyses.Results Among 76 GPs neurology was perceived to be as interesting as other medical specialties. GPs reported less knowledge, more difficulty and less confidence in neurology compared with other medical specialties. There was a preference for a local NHS neurology service (p<0.001), which was easier to contact (p<0.001) and provided better follow-up. GPs reported that local neurology services provided better patient satisfaction.Conclusions GPs prefer local NHS neurology services to independent sector contracts. GPs’ evaluations should inform commissioning of neurology services. Combating neurophobia should be an integral part of responsive commissioning.