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Job variation in advanced training in adult neurology in A ustralia and N ew Z ealand: a follow‐up study
Author(s) -
Burrell J. R.,
Parratt K.,
Lueck C. J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
internal medicine journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 1444-0903
DOI - 10.1111/imj.12413
Subject(s) - workload , medicine , neurology , outpatient clinic , clinical neurophysiology , family medicine , physical therapy , psychiatry , electroencephalography , computer science , operating system
Background Six years ago, a survey of A ustralian trainees in neurology highlighted several differences in the training offered by the various positions. There has been a subsequent increase in trainee numbers. Aim This survey aimed to re‐examine the workload and exposure provided by individual positions and to compare training in A ustralia and N ew Z ealand. Methods A questionnaire was circulated in 2012 to all advanced trainees in core adult neurology positions in A ustralia and N ew Z ealand, looking at ward work, outpatient clinics, neurophysiology exposure and on‐call commitments. Results The response rate was 85.7%. There was a 48.7% increase in the number of core training positions in A ustralia, but an average increase in inpatient workload of 56%. General neurology clinic numbers were unchanged while specialist clinic exposure had risen from 1.0 to 1.8 clinics/week. In some cases, exposure to neurophysiology had fallen. The requirement for out‐of‐hours on‐call had fallen. There were no major differences between positions in A ustralia and N ew Z ealand. Conclusion There have been significant improvements in advanced training in adult neurology in the 5 years between 2007 and 2012: numbers of trainees have increased, on‐call commitments have fallen and exposure to specialist clinics has risen. However, inpatient workload has increased significantly, accompanied by a slight reduction in exposure to training in neurophysiology in some cases. Overall, the changes are encouraging, but more work is still needed to ensure that individual positions meet the training needs of trainees.