Understanding the gap: How much do healthcare professionals know about functional neurological disorders?

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) manifests with neurological symptoms not attributable to structural abnormalities of the nervous system and is the second most common reason for referral to neurologists. Despite being treatable, FND is frequently underdiagnosed and linked to significant disability and emotional distress. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of Moroccan healthcare professionals toward FND and explore misconceptions surrounding this condition.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 127 physicians across Morocco using an anonymous, online questionnaire disseminated via Google Forms. A snowball sampling approach was used, with the link distributed through social media and major unofficial specialty clusters on WhatsApp. The survey explored participants' awareness, beliefs, and clinical practices regarding FND.

Neurologists and neurology residents constituted 58% of respondents, followed by medical interns, general practitioners, and psychiatry residents. Overall, 22% reported no prior knowledge of FND, and 61% had never received formal training. Misconceptions were widespread: 18% associated FND with hysteria, 29% viewed it as purely psychological, and 10% were unaware of its pathophysiology. Only 4% recognized positive diagnostic signs, while 67% perceived FND solely as a diagnosis of exclusion. Additionally, 22% believed patients might exaggerate symptoms, 16% considered paraclinical examinations unnecessary, 44% thought psychiatric history was essential for diagnosis, and 50% underestimated the harms of underdiagnosis.

These findings highlight an urgent need for targeted educational interventions to correct misconceptions, promote accurate diagnosis, and improve patient care. Addressing these gaps could mitigate FND's social and economic burden in Morocco.