National Survey Highlights Educational Gaps in Women’s Neurology and the Need for Curriculum Reform – NeurologyLive

Report on Gaps in Women’s Neurological Health Training and Sustainable Development Goals Integration

Introduction

A nationwide survey conducted among neurology residents and program directors in the United States has identified significant deficiencies in training related to women’s neurological health. This includes care during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. The findings highlight a widespread lack of preparedness among trainees and emphasize the urgent need for curriculum reform. These issues are closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Survey Overview

1. The survey targeted 263 neurology residency programs across the U.S., including 182 adult and 81 pediatric programs.
2. Both program directors and residents were surveyed with anonymized responses to assess the frequency of women’s neurological care topics in lectures and respondents’ comfort in managing related conditions.
3. The timing of the survey coincided with the launch of a new curriculum aimed at improving women’s neurology training.

Key Findings

• Major educational gaps were uncovered by 41 program directors and 55 residents.
• Nearly 50% of residents reported “never” or “rarely” asking about family planning; over 75% did not take obstetric histories.
• Barriers to education included:
  • Perceived lack of relevance (72%)
  • Limited time (55%)
  • Inadequate training (34%)
• Resident preparedness was low:
  • 57% felt “very uncomfortable” treating pregnant patients
  • 33% uncomfortable with postpartum care
  • 41% uneasy managing menopause-related issues
  • Only 20% felt adequately trained
• Among program directors, 61% reported including at least one lecture on women’s neurological health, a decrease from 68% in 2019.

Broader Educational Deficits and Research Gaps

The survey also revealed a broader lack of sex- and gender-informed education across neurology disciplines. For example, migraine, a condition predominantly affecting women, lacks sufficient sex-related headache education. Research and education on women’s neurology remain in early stages, underscoring the need for enhanced focus consistent with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Ongoing and Future Initiatives

• Academic centers are beginning targeted training through fellowships, national curricula, and interdisciplinary care models.
• Long-term evaluation of these initiatives will be critical to measure impact.
• Future surveys are planned to assess curriculum effectiveness and explore factors such as respondent gender on training outcomes.

Calls for Formal Recognition and Specialized Training

Recent literature supports formal recognition of women’s neurology as a distinct focus within medical education. Key points include:

• Conditions such as migraine, epilepsy, and stroke disproportionately affect women and require nuanced management during hormonal stages (pregnancy, postpartum, menopause).
• Physiological transitions impact disease expression and treatment efficacy but are rarely covered in depth during residency.
• Women’s neurology should be treated as a population-specific subspecialty, akin to child neurology or neuropalliative care.
• Only 19% of neuroscience studies with both male and female participants are designed to detect sex differences, limiting clinical guidance.

Recommendations for Curriculum and Research Enhancement

1. Develop national curricular frameworks incorporating sex and gender milestones in residency training.
2. Increase representation of women’s neurology content at academic conferences.
3. Support initiatives such as women’s neurology e-journal clubs and NIH-funded curriculum development.
4. Promote international collaboration through networks like the INSIGHT network for Women’s Neurology education.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Enhancing neurology training improves health outcomes for women during critical life stages.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Curriculum reform ensures inclusive, gender-sensitive medical education.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – Addressing sex and gender disparities in neurological care promotes equality in health services.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Closing knowledge gaps reduces disparities in neurological care access and quality.

Conclusion

The survey highlights critical gaps in women’s neurological health training and underscores the necessity for comprehensive curriculum reform. Integrating sex- and gender-informed education aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals, fostering equitable healthcare and improved well-being for women. Continued efforts and longitudinal assessments will be essential to ensure these educational reforms translate into better clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

References

1. Peretz A. Survey on Trends and Perceptions of Women’s Neurology Training Among Neurology Residents and Program Directors. 2025 AAN Annual Meeting; April 12–18; Chicago, IL. P-362.
2. LaHue SC, Paolini S, Waters JFR, O’Neal MA. Opinion and Special Article: The Need for Specialized Training in Women’s Neurology. Neurology. 2023;100(1):38-42. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000201451
3. Thornton HF, LaHue SC, Bove R, Waters J, O’Neal MA, Bui E. Emerging Subspecialties in Neurology: Women’s Neurology. Neurology. 2024;102(1):e208009. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000208009

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on improving neurological health care for women, addressing gaps in training related to pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
   • It emphasizes the need for better education and preparedness among neurology residents to improve health outcomes.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights deficiencies in medical education curricula regarding women’s neurology.
   • Calls for curriculum reform and inclusion of sex and gender-informed education align with ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The focus on sex and gender-informed care and the recognition of women’s neurology as a distinct field addresses gender disparities in healthcare and research.
   • Promotes equal access to specialized healthcare for women and addresses gender biases in medical research and training.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential healthcare services and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
   • Target 3.c: Substantially increase health financing and recruitment, development, training, and retention of the health workforce in developing countries.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable lifestyles and human rights.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 5.b: Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications technology, to promote the empowerment of women.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Training and Education Coverage
   • Percentage of neurology residency programs including lectures on women’s neurological health (e.g., 61% currently, down from 68% in 2019).
   • Proportion of residents feeling adequately trained or comfortable managing women’s neurological conditions (e.g., only 20% felt adequately trained).
2. Clinical Practice and Preparedness
   • Frequency with which residents ask about family planning and take obstetric histories (e.g., nearly half never or rarely ask about family planning; over 75% do not take obstetric histories).
   • Resident comfort levels in treating pregnant, postpartum, and menopausal patients (e.g., 57% very uncomfortable treating pregnant patients).
3. Research and Curriculum Development
   • Number and quality of neuroscience studies designed to detect sex differences (currently only 19%).
   • Implementation and impact assessment of new curricula and training programs (e.g., future surveys planned to evaluate curriculum changes).
4. Long-term Outcome Measures
   • Changes in resident confidence, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction as measures of effective training and care improvements.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: neurologylive.com