RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Functional neurological disorders: effective teaching for health professionals
JF BMJ Neurology Open
JO BMJ Neurol Open
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e000065
DO 10.1136/bmjno-2020-000065
VO 2
IS 1
A1 Alexander Lehn
A1 Dharsha Navaratnam
A1 Megan Broughton
A1 Vince Cheah
A1 Alison Fenton
A1 Karl Harm
A1 Diana Owen
A1 Paul Pun
YR 2020
UL http://neurologyopen.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000065.abstract
AB Objectives To provide an outline for the delivery of an educational course or lecture about functional neurological disorders (FND) that is directed towards health professionals with varying clinical knowledge and to highlight the educational efficacy that can be derived from a well-designed educational platform.Method Through multidisciplinary collaboration, a course designed to develop the skills for diagnosis and management of FND was created. Elements essential to the delivery of education are: (A) knowledge creation; (B) facilitating multidisciplinary cross-pollination; (C) listening to patients’ experiences; (D) communication skills practice; (E) case studies; (F) discipline specific mentoring; (G) establishing and addressing participant learning goals and (H) developing collegial and referral networks. Changes in participants’ knowledge and clinical practice were assessed via anonymous questionnaires before and after the course.Results Dramatically improved knowledge and confidence in assessment and management of people with FND has been found both immediately following the course as well as on 6-month follow-up.Conclusion It is possible to make real change in the understanding and management of medical and allied health clinicians working with people with FND with a low-cost intervention. Also, the development of educational networks and multidisciplinary collaboration can lead to the creation of therapeutic platforms for the diagnosis, management and advocacy of this patient group.