Migraine: the doctor-patient link. results of a needs assessment

To do a needs assessment directed to neurologists attending a workshop on communication skills emphasizing relationships between physician and patient, assessment of disability and quality of life of migraine patients, and communication of therapies for migraine.

A structured questionnaire was sent to all participants related to the issues indicated in the objective. This was prepared by the faculty and the results were collated by the author and presented at the beginning of the workshop. This paper overviews the use and results of a needs assessment to highlight learning needs of the participants and to focus the issues, interest and interactions of neurologists in a workshop. The workshop focused primarily on communication skills and on the understanding of disability and quality of life issues in migraine patients.

In general the responses revealed that the attendees were neurologists in practice for more than 15 years, that over 50% had prior knowledge of communication skills and used them in various ways, and 74% were involved in teaching family physicians. Some knew and used disability and quality of life tools but up to one third of participants did not assess disability in their patients. Most wanted to learn more about communication skills and other objectives noted and 19% of respondents wanted to learn more about prophylactic antimigraine treatments and how to differentiate/contrast the triptans.

Using a needs assessment tool allowed organizers of an educational workshop to determine the current knowledge and perceived and unperceived needs of the participants with respect to communication skills, assessing disability and quality of life issues, and communication of treatments to migraine patients.