Author: Florentina C. Pleșa

Is Still Neurology Desirable as a Specialty for Aspiring Physicians?

This article aims to highlight the burnout burden among neurologists and provide information on some of its causes and consequences. We report an original article that reviews our current understanding of burnout matter in the neurology field. The main search engine through which we performed extensive literature research was PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The following information was collected: triggers of burnout and factors that perpetuate it, major complaints, values, and goals that dictate how coaching with it. Physician burnout is an umbrella term characterized by symptoms determined by exposure to chronic workplace stressors. Simply put, it encompasses many dimensions: emotional exhaustion, feelings of cynism, detachment (depersonalization), and a sense of ineffectiveness at work (low personal accomplishment). Burnout is common among all medical specialties, but neurology ranks at the top of the list. Several identified factors continue to fuel this problem. Properly addressing them, rethinking practice, and implementing wise, modern strategies can make significant contributions to reducing it. Aside from the chronic harm to the physician, burnout puts at risk the healthcare community at many levels including patients, other professionals, finances, etc. This paper wants to emphasize that burnout in neurology should be regarded as a global crisis. Thus, some strategies are proposed.

Ethical considerations in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)

Epilepsy is one of the world's oldest diseases. Social stigma, misunderstanding and thus, discrimination have surrounded patients and their families from the beginnings until nowadays. Approximatively up to 80% of epilepsy cases worldwide are found in developing regions. The risk of premature death is two to three times higher than for the general population. There is contradictory evidences concerning the question of whether to inform patients about the possibility of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Actual guidelines states that individuals with epilepsy and their families or careers should be given access to information on SUDEP. We have information about how, when and what to say to the patients and families about SUDEP. But it's a delicate subject, and some patients do not want to know that they are at risk for this.