Global variability and challenges in neurology residency training: Insights from a 2023 WFN survey

Neurological disorders are leading causes of global morbidity and mortality, with an expected rise due to population ageing worldwide. Currently, neurological expertise is insufficient in many countries and will be largely outnumbered in the future. To counter this challenge, neurology training needs to be adapted, to improve neurological care and to increase the number of neurologists. As a first step we aim here to update the available information on training programs worldwide, highlighting disparities between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The survey was conducted by the WFN Young Neurologists Committee. The survey targeted WFN delegates and involved in neurology training. Data were collected through the SurveyMonkey platform. The questionnaire focused on residency program duration, available training modalities, skill acquisition, and identified barriers to training. The data was compared with the two previous educational surveys of the World Federation of Neurology.

Data were collected from 58 countries, with 93 responses. Key findings include significant differences in training duration, skill acquisition, and barriers to training.

Although with some limitations due to the methodology used, the results underscore the need for standardized neurology training curricula and equitable international partnerships to address global health inequalities in training.