Impact of hands-on training in neurology on neurophobia in medical students in Abidjan

Background: Several educational strategies have been suggested to alleviate neurophobia. This study seeks to evaluate the influence of a hands-on clinical rotation in a neurology department on the levels of neurophobia experienced by medical students in Abidjan. Methods: This study employed a prospective, analytical, and descriptive research design. At the start and conclusion of each practical internship, students were required to complete an anonymous questionnaire that included two sections: sociodemographic data and the Neuro-Q score. Students were identified as neurophobic if their neuro-Q score was above 16. This threshold is validated for medical trainees, such as our population. Results: The analysis of proportion demonstrates a significant difference at the 5% significance level between the pre-internship and post-internship proportions of individuals with neurophobia across the surveyed population (p < 0.05). Further examination by educational level reveals significant differences in proportions for specific levels of study. The significant difference in neurophobic subjects is observed exclusively among Master 1 students (p < 0.05). Discussion: The findings of our study indicate that practical training in neurology may contribute to a decrease in neurophobia among students, with the extent of this effect differing among various subgroups. Conclusion: It is imperative to introduce strategies designed to mitigate neurophobia in medical students during the initial stages of their training.