Foong Yi Chao, Chan Owen Ka Lung, Hannaford Andrew, Rudaks Laura Ivete, Ranta Anna, Bridge Francesca, Shaw Cameron
Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Department of Neurology, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
J Neurol Sci. 2025 May 15;472:123481. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2025.123481. Epub 2025 Mar 28.
This study aimed to assess the perceptions of neurologists in Australia and New Zealand regarding climate change and its impact on neurological practice.
Members of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists were surveyed gathering demographic information and views on climate change and its impact on clinical practice. A composite score was generated based on five key climate change-related questions. Linear regression was used to examine associations between demographic factors and the composite score.
A total of 190 neurologists among 994 ANZAN members (19.1 %) completed the survey. Of these 94.7 % agreed that climate change is happening, and 81.1 % believed it impacts their patients' health. However, only 32.1 % felt comfortable initiating conversations about climate change. The majority of respondents perceived a moderate impact of climate change on patients' mental health, ability to exercise and multiple sclerosis symptomatology, and a small to moderate impact on migraines, emerging neuroinfectious disease and ability to access transport. Female neurologists had a higher composite score, whilst age did not independently predict the composite score.
Neurologists are concerned about climate change and its impact on their patients, but the majority are uncomfortable raising this in routine clinical care. Our findings support the need for more education for neurologists on strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change for patients with neurological disease.
本研究旨在评估澳大利亚和新西兰神经科医生对气候变化及其对神经科医疗实践影响的看法。
对澳大利亚和新西兰神经科医生协会的成员进行调查，收集人口统计学信息以及他们对气候变化及其对临床实践影响的看法。基于五个与气候变化相关的关键问题生成一个综合得分。采用线性回归分析人口统计学因素与综合得分之间的关联。
994名澳新神经科医生协会成员中有190名（19.1%）完成了调查。其中，94.7%的人同意气候变化正在发生，81.1%的人认为气候变化会影响患者健康。然而，只有32.1%的人对开启关于气候变化的话题感到自在。大多数受访者认为气候变化对患者心理健康、运动能力和多发性硬化症状有中度影响，对偏头痛、新出现的神经感染性疾病和交通出行能力有轻度至中度影响。女神经科医生的综合得分更高，而年龄并不能独立预测综合得分。
神经科医生关注气候变化及其对患者的影响，但大多数人在日常临床护理中不愿提及此事。我们的研究结果支持有必要为神经科医生提供更多关于减轻气候变化对神经疾病患者影响的策略的教育。
