Neurological education of nonneurologists

In 1975, the Joint Commission of Neurology, created by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Neurological Association, published its report including recommendations on neurological education. Commission data indicated that although neurologists constitute less than 1% of all physicians, at least 5% of all ambulatory patients and 13% of all hospitalized patients had primary or secondary neurologic diagnoses, or both. Thus, the commission recommended a major effort in the education of general physicians in neurology. That advice is apparently being ignored. This situation poses a serious health care problem and urgent steps are indicated to reverse this trend.