Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40437643›Full record

ArticleBMC research notes2025

Bridging the gap in neurodegenerative disease care: a needs assessment for a Master's program in Sri Lanka.

Nirmala Rathnayake, Thamudi Sundarapperuma, Pramudika Nirmani, Bimba Wickramarachchi, Kumari De Silva, Prasanna Herath, Damayanthi Dassanayake, Sudath Warnakulasuriya, Martin Persson

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC research notes, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Nirmala RathnayakeDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka. nirmala.priyanthi@gmail.com.
Thamudi SundarapperumaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Pramudika NirmaniDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Bimba WickramarachchiDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Kumari De SilvaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Prasanna HerathDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kotelawala Defence University, Rathmalana, Sri Lanka.
Damayanthi DassanayakeDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Sudath WarnakulasuriyaDepartment of Clinical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Martin PerssonFaculty of Health Sciences, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveSri Lanka's aging population is contributing to a rising burden of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), exacerbated by limited care infrastructure and a shortage of trained professionals. To address this, Sri Lankan universities, through the EU-funded "nEUROcare" project, aim to develop a Master's program in NDD care. This mixed-method study surveyed 150 healthcare professionals and students, alongside Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with 18 professionals, using pre-tested tools to assess knowledge, perceptions, and conduct a SWOT analysis.

resultsOver half of the participants rated their knowledge of NDDs as above average, and 77.4% endorsed the need for a Master's program. Key motivators included career advancement and enhanced social recognition. Identified strengths were institutional and government support and the capacity of existing universities. Weaknesses included a lack of national policy, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient trained teaching staff. Opportunities were seen in the demographic shift toward an aging population and the potential for economic and academic benefits. Threats included limited stakeholder awareness and funding constraints. The study clearly demonstrates the urgent need for specialized training in NDD care. Establishing a Master's program would significantly bridge current gaps in care, empower professionals, and improve outcomes for patients and their caregivers in Sri Lanka. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Education, GraduateHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHealth PersonnelNeeds AssessmentNeurodegenerative DiseasesAdultFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedSri LankaMaster's programNeed surveyNeurodegenerative disease careSri Lanka

Identifiers

PMID40437643
PMCPMC12121238

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.