In a one year prospective study, 19% of 925 adult medical admissions to a district general hospital (the Downe Hospital, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland) were due primarily to a neurological complaint. A further 19 cases had an active neurological disorder which contributed to their hospital admission. Most were acute admissions via the General Practitioner or through the Accident and Emergency Department, a situation different from the practice of most regional neurological centres. Only 15 patients (8% of the neurological cases) were referred to a specialist centre.
Of examined patients in medical practice in this study 12.3% presented with neurological disease or health problems involving neurological questions or approach. In acute cases neurological problems (15.5%), occurred more often than in chronic ones. This high neurological workload in general practice has to be taken seriously into consideration in undergraduate and postgraduate medical training.
Of examined patients in medical practice in this study 12.3% presented with neurological disease or health problems involving neurological questions or approach. In acute cases neurological problems (15.5%), occurred more often than in chronic ones. This high neurological workload in general practice has to be taken seriously into consideration in undergraduate and postgraduate medical training.