The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

REPRESENTATIVES from the Bahamas Electroneurodiagnostic Technologist (BENT) group are hosting the inaugural neurology career and educational fair at Anatol Rodgers High School tomorrow.

The event is one of several initiatives the group has been involved with to inform, educate and promote neurodiagnostic awareness in the community.

Neurodiagnostic week, sponsored by ASET - The Neurodiagnostic Society, is an event to demonstrate pride in the profession and in the individual accomplishments of neurodiagnostic technologists throughout the country. It is celebrated annually during the third week of April honouring the contributions of neurodiagnostic professionals. This year neurodiagnostic week is celebrated nationwide from April 19-25.

To raise awareness of the week, members of the BENT were guests on the Fourth Terrace radio talk show with Dr Elizabeth Darville and attended a special service on Sunday at Wesley Methodist Church.

BENT will end the week on Friday by wearing T-shirts honouring all neurodiagnostic technologists and showing solidarity with ASET – The Neurodiagnostic Society.

“ASET represents more than 4,000 allied health care professionals (including a number of our technologists) and provides leadership, continuing education, advocacy and resources that promote professional excellence and quality patient care in neurodiagnostics,” a representative from the BENT said.

“We have had humble beginnings but the future potential in the field is tremendous and holds great career opportunities for the young Bahamians willing to step forward and seize the day.”

Neurodiagnostics is the study of the brain and nervous system, which serves as the control centre for the entire body and almost all aspects of its function.

Procedures performed by technologists include electroencephalography (EEG), evoked potentials (EP), intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), long-term monitoring (LTM), continuous EEG in the Intensive Care Unit (cEEG/ICU), nerve conduction studies (NCS), and polysomnography or sleep studies (PSG).

Technologists play an important role in performing those tests that aid in diagnosing illnesses and problems such as epilepsy, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, strokes, neck pain, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

“Neurodiagnostic Technologists provide a valuable contribution to quality patient care through the recording and study of the electrical activity of the brain and nervous system. Neurodiagnostic technologists have many areas of expertise and act as eyes and ears for specially trained physicians. The field ofneurodiagnostic technology is expanding every year and so are the professionals who practice it,” the group’s representative said.

The group believes the public is unaware that there are people working diligently in the field of neurodiagnostics. Those professionals remain in the background but play pivotal roles in helping doctors arrive at an accurate diagnosis: without an accurate diagnosis, an appropriate treatment cannot be provided.

“These technologists are our gifts because they are uniquely skilled, versatile and valued professionals who aid your doctor in reducing pain, suffering, economic costs, emotional costs which impact individuals, families, community and the nation, by limiting delays in accurate diagnosis and treatment.

“Everywhere in our country we hear people crying out, ‘Dey doin a whole lot of tests and spending money but we still don’t know what’s wrong’. Are the right tests being done? In addition to the general public, there are many healthcare providers who not only are unfamiliar with various neurodiagnostic tests and their usefulness but also do not know which tests are available locally,” the representative said.

The BENT hopes that throughout this week, the public will be fully informed and educated about neurodiagnostics and the work done by BENT members Renaldo Clarke, Joanne Edgecombe, Louise Simms, Aronha Aranha, Zulena Rolle-Baptiste and Michael Morris) will be recognised.

Each professional combined their efforts to form the BENT, a non-profit organisation of professionally trained individuals who perform neurodiagnostic procedures including EEG, NCS, PSG and EP. The mission of BENT is to enhance the recognition of END technologists by creating a network of qualified professionals who can provide a world-class standard of service.