Neurology Training in Italy: A Survey on Italian Residency Programmes and Compliance with European Training Standards

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Abstract
Background Since 2005, the European Union of Medical Specialists – Section of Neurology and the European Board of Neurology have outlined a comprehensive curriculum, the European Training Requirements in Neurology (ETRN), which defines the essential clinical knowledge, practical skills, and research competencies that European neurology training programmes should encompass. Despite these standards, notable differences in training quality and resources persist among Italian residency programmes. This survey, conducted by the Italian Section of Young Neurologists, aimed to assess the alignment of Italian neurology residency programmes with ETRN standards and to evaluate residents’ and early-career neurologists’ self-reported knowledge, practical skills, and access to specialised training opportunities. Methods An anonymous, online survey was distributed to neurology residents and recently qualified neurologists across Italy in November 2023. The survey included 39 items across four sections: demographics, residency programme structure, learning objectives, and out-of-network internship opportunities. Responses were evaluated using descriptive statistics and comparative analyses across institution sizes and training years. Results Of 248 respondents (45.2% female, mean age 28.9 years), only 70.5% of ETRN’s basic training objectives were met, with lower compliance observed for advanced competencies. Practical skills like lumbar puncture and history-taking were widely acquired, but advanced diagnostic techniques (e.g., EMG, neuro-sonography) and subspecialty training (e.g., neuro-oncology, palliative care) showed limited availability. Out-of-network internship participation was low (21.7%), mainly due to institutional constraints and lack of financial support, limiting exposure to diverse clinical environments. Conclusions Italian neurology training programmes align reasonably well with ETRN standards at the basic level, though significant gaps remain in advanced training, diagnostic techniques, and interdisciplinary skills. Enhanced standardisation, improved funding for extra-network internships, and focused efforts on advanced training are essential to elevate Italian neurology residency programmes to meet European standards more fully.

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