[Knowledge and competence of primary care physicians in diagnosis and treatment of nervous system diseases].

The diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases in primary health care requires not only the specialistic knowledge but also easy access to the diagnostic and rehabilitation procedures and co-operation with neurologist. The aim of this study was to specify the quality of diagnosis and treatment of the neurological diseases in primary health care. The knowledge and practical skills of physicians working in the primary health care were analysed paralell to their possibilities of the diagnostics and rehabilitation of the patients suffering from neurological disturbances. Furthermore the quality of the co-operation with specialised neurologist was assessed. The research was carried on in 1999 using anonymous inquiry in the group of 151 primary health care (p.h.c.) physicians participating in the teaching courses in the Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Lublin. The research proved that patients with disturbances of the nervous system were frequently admitted to the primary health care outpatient departments. Among the diseases the low back pain, headaches and dizziness dominated. Most of the p.h.c. physicians used to examine patients by themselves but were sceptical about their skills. They tried to diagnose the neurological problems according to their abilities. The final effect was satisfactory, however neurological diseases treated by p.h.c. physicians were limited to the low back pain, headache, zoster and the febrile seizures. Only small percentage of patients was treated properly and in accordance with new trends in neurological art. Also the co-operation between primary health care physician and neurologist was not satisfactory.