Neurology training programs worldwide: a world federation of neurology survey.

This World Federation of Neurology (WFN) project was aimed at collecting data about the number and nature of neurology residency programs in different countries. A survey was sent to delegates from the neurology societies belonging to the World Federation of Neurology. Over 6200 physicians graduating from neurology training programs each year were identified. Many regions of the world, including those with the highest prevalence of disorders of the nervous system, have few or no post-graduate neurology training programs. Adequate teaching in psychiatry, neuroradiology, and neuropathology is lacking in many programs. Training in a large number of countries is hampered by inadequate access to books, journals, and the internet. The global distribution of postgraduate neurology training programs is unrelated equally to the burden of neurological diseases or to the need for their treatment and prevention.