Abstract
Background Headache remains a major public health concern, with patients experiencing difficulty accessing optimal, evidence-based care.
Aim To evaluate gaps in education and training in headache amongst Neurology Advanced Trainees in New South Wales and Victoria.
Methods An eighteen-question survey was created using REDCap software. The survey was distributed to New South Wales and Victorian Neurology Core Trainees with a participation information sheet explaining the aims of the study, that participation was voluntary and that respondents would remain anonymous. Data were collected from Sept-October 2022.
Results The response rate was 30% (n = 22/77). Respondents comprised 50% first core year (AT1) and 50% second core year trainees (AT2). Amongst the respondents, 59% had less than 2 hours of exposure to headache education throughout their university degree and 69% had no exposure to headache clinics, and only 14% felt adequately prepared to manage headache disorders in either the outpatient or inpatient setting.
Conclusions Few neurology advanced trainees who responded to the survey felt adequately prepared to manage headache disorders in the inpatient or outpatient setting. Gaps in education and training were identified from medical school through to advanced training. Addressing these gaps is an avenue to optimize the management of headache disorders in Australia.
