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

Objective: Sri 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.

Results: Over 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.