BACKGROUND Individuals with severe neurological disabilities but preserved cognition, including children, are often precluded from connecting with their environments. Brain computer interfaces (BCI) are a potential solution where advancing technologies create new clinical opportunities. We evaluated clinician awareness as a modifiable barrier to progress and identified eligible populations. METHODS We executed a national, population-based, cross-sectional survey of physician specialists caring for persons with severe disability. An evidence- and experience-based survey had three themes: clinician BCI knowledge, eligible populations, and potential impact. A BCI knowledge index was created and scored. Canadian adult and pediatric neurologists, physiatrists and a subset of developmental pediatricians were contacted. Secure, web-based software administered the survey via email with online data collection. RESULTS Of 922 valid emails (664 neurologists, 253 physiatrists), 137 (15%) responded. One third estimated that ≥10% of their patients had severe neurological disability with cognitive capacity. BCI knowledge scores were low with > 40% identifying as less than "vaguely aware" and only 15% as "somewhat familiar" or better. Knowledge did not differ across specialties. Only 6 physicians (4%) had patients using BCI. Communication and wheelchair control rated highest for potentially improving quality of life. Most (81%) felt BCI had high potential to improve quality of life. Estimates suggested that > 13,000 Canadians (36 M population) might benefit from BCI technologies. CONCLUSIONS Despite high potential and thousands of patients who might benefit, BCI awareness among clinicians caring for disabled persons is poor. Further, functional priorities for BCI applications may differ between medical professionals and potential BCI users, perhaps reflecting that clinicians possess a less accurate understanding of the desires and needs of potential end-users. Improving knowledge and engaging both clinicians and patients could facilitate BCI program development to improve patient outcomes.

中文翻译：

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临床医生对大脑计算机接口的了解：加拿大国家调查。

背景技术具有严重神经系统障碍但仍保持认知的个体，包括儿童，常常被排除与周围环境的联系。脑计算机接口（BCI）是潜在的解决方案，其中先进的技术创造了新的临床机会。我们评估了临床医生的意识是可改变的进步障碍，并确定了合格人群。方法我们对照顾严重残疾人的医师进行了全国性，以人群为基础的横断面调查。一项基于证据和经验的调查涉及三个主题：临床医生BCI知识，合格人群和潜在影响。BCI知识索引已创建并评分。与加拿大成人和儿科神经科医生，生理学家以及部分发育儿科医生联系。安全，基于网络的软件通过电子邮件和在线数据收集来管理调查。结果在922封有效电子邮件中（664名神经学家，253名生理学家），有137例（15％）得到了答复。三分之一的患者估计≥10％的患者患有严重的神经功能障碍并具有认知能力。BCI知识得分较低，其中> 40％的人认为“不知道”的程度低于“ BCI”，只有15％的人“比较熟悉”或更高。不同专业之间的知识没有差异。只有6位医生（4％）的患者使用BCI。通信和轮椅控制的等级最高，可潜在改善生活质量。大多数（81％）认为BCI具有改善生活质量的巨大潜力。据估计，超过13,000名加拿大人（3600万人口）可能会从BCI技术中受益。结论尽管潜力巨大，成千上万的患者可能会受益，但是在照顾残疾人的临床医生中，BCI意识仍然很差。此外，医疗专业人员和潜在BCI用户之间BCI应用程序的功能优先级可能有所不同，这可能反映出临床医生对潜在最终用户的愿望和需求的理解不够准确。提高知识水平并吸引临床医生和患者参与，可以促进BCI计划的制定，以改善患者的预后。