The future of neurology after the COVID-19 pandemic according to neurology residents

Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in the delivery of neurological disease care and in neurology training in academic departments. Objective We aimed to investigate how neurology residents viewed the future of neurology after the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to three main aspects: (i) organization of neurological activity, (ii) patient care, and (iii) funding availability for neurological diseases. Methods We surveyed Italian neurology residents in order to investigate how they viewed the future of neurology after the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Responses were collected from 254 residents who reported: a high risk of reduction of hospital neurological beds, of worsening of the quality of neurological patient management, and of lack of funding for neurological care and research. Conclusion The survey results demonstrate the views of future neurologists regarding the direction of neurology after the COVID-19 emergency. It is important to focus on these aspects in order to adapt neurology training to the societal changes introduced by the pandemic, and to safeguard the essential role of neurology in the management and prevention of chronic degenerative illnesses and emergencies.

Automated summary

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in neurological disease care and neurology training. Italian neurology residents expressed concerns about reduced hospital neurological beds, worsened patient management, and lack of funding for neurological care and research.