Headache as a reason for consultation: the primary care perspective

Headache is a frequent reason for consultation with primary care (PC) physicians. However, the condition is underdiagnosed and undertreated. One reason for this may be the lack of specific training on headache in PC. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of data gathered with a self-administered survey that was completed by PC physicians from our health district. We collected sociodemographic data and information on previous training in neurology and headache, and training needs. The survey was completed by 104 PC physicians, 53% of whom were women; mean age was 49 years. Most respondents worked in urban settings (42.3%) and had been trained via residency (77.9%). Although 65.4% spent more time with patients with headache than with other patients, only 32.7% used the International Classification of Headache Disorders. In our sample, 68.3% of respondents reported a high or very high interest in headache, and 75.9% wished to receive further training on the condition; theoretical and practical courses and update lectures were regarded as the most useful tools. In clinical practice, 90% used triptans and 78% used preventive treatments. The most frequently used drug was amitriptyline; only 22.1% choose topiramate. PC physicians are in frequent contact with patients with headache and show interest in receiving training on this condition. This could be helpful in designing training programmes aimed at improving quality of care in this area. La cefalea es un motivo de consulta frecuente en atención primaria (AP), sin embargo, se trata de una patología infradiagnosticada e infratratada. Uno de los posibles factores es la falta de formación de los profesionales de AP en cefaleas. Estudio descriptivo transversal mediante encuesta auto-administrada a los médicos de AP de nuestro sector sanitario. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, variables relacionadas con la formación previa en neurología y cefaleas y variables en relación con sus necesidades formativas. Completaron la encuesta 104 médicos de atención primaria, de los cuales el 53% fueron mujeres y la edad media fue 49 años. La mayoría de los encuestados trabajan en un centro de salud urbano (42,3%) y se han formado vía MIR (77,9%). El 65,4% dedican más tiempo a una consulta de cefaleas que a otras consultas y sólo un 32,7% utilizan la Clasificación Internacional de Cefaleas. El 68,3% declaran tener un interés alto o muy alto en cefaleas y al 75,9% les gustaría mejorar su formación, eligiendo curs