A survey about neurology practice in Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: practice of neurology is recent in Colombia. Currently there is no updated information regarding socio-demographic, economic and other characteristics of this group.
Objective: the aim of this investigation was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of the Colombian adult-neurologists including the quantification of them.
Matherials and methods: a self-administered survey was given to the adults-attending neurologist at the 10th congress of neurology, 2011. By mean of direct contact with neurologists in every city the number of neurologists was quantified, then we obtained the total amount for the whole country. The same method was use to determine the number of neurologists and residents at university hospitals.
Results: 180 surveys were distributed, with 53.8% (97) answer rate. 75% of them were males. The largest (60.7%) concentration of neurologists was located in the main Colombian cities (Bogotá and Medellín). 51% of responders work between 41 to 50 hours per week with a monthly salary up to 15.000.000 colombian pesos in the 70% of cases. Diagnostic tools are performed by 52% being EEG the most commonly practiced. 295 adults -attending neurologists were quantified in the Colombian geography. Currently Colombia has 9 residency adult-neurology programs with a total of 85 residents.
conclusion: the Colombian neurology community is predominantly composed by males who work in the largest cities with a monthly salary up to 15 millions Colombian pesos working between 41-50 hours per week. Hospital de San José FUCS is the biggest program with 19 residents and Hospital Kennedy - Universidad de la Sabana is the program with the lower amount, 4 in total.