Table 4.

Neurologists' views on communication in conversion disorder and feigning

	N (%)
Which model do you use to explain conversion disorder, if patients ask?
Effects of stress on the nervous system	119 (34)
Subconscious behaviour	94 (27)
Disorder of brain function	45 (13)
Mind over matter	12 (4)
I can't explain it	10 (3)
Other (or several of the above)	67 (19)
Do you refer to psychological factors when explaining your diagnosis in conversion patients—if they seem open to it?
Always	203 (58)
Usually	130 (38)
Rarely	14 (4)
Never	0 (0)
If they seem resistant?
Always	86 (25)
Usually	200 (58)
Rarely	51 (15)
Never	5 (2)
Do you talk about feigning with patients—if you suspect it?
Always	6 (2)
Usually	54 (16)
Rarely	151 (44)
Never	133 (39)
If you're sure of it?
Always	39 (12)
Usually	69 (20)
Rarely	137 (41)
Never	91 (27)
Who should address feigning in your patient?*
Me	158 (51)
The GP	64 (21)
A psychiatrist	87 (28)
The police or some other agency	49 (16)
No-one	39 (13)
Does giving the diagnosis of conversion seem easier now than for those who trained you?
Yes	168 (51)
No	163 (49)
Do you copy letters about your conversion patients to them?
I prefer to	175 (53)
I prefer not to	154 (47)
Do you use ‘codes’ or euphemisms in those letters?
Always	11 (3)
Usually	101 (31)
Rarely	149 (45)
Never	69 (21)
What do you hope the GP will understand by your codes?*
That the patient has a conversion disorder	155 (45)
That their problem is psychological	156 (45)
That there is nothing really wrong with them	23 (7)
Other	17 (5)

Percentages are of those answering the question rounded to the nearest whole number.

^*Scored allowing multiple selections.

GP, general practitioner (primary care physician).