NPC Registration No: 2024/319828/08
Sneak Peek!
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) remains under-recognised and often challenging to manage in clinical practice. We are pleased to introduce the FND – What Now? Clinician's FND Toolkit—a practical, evidence-informed resource designed to support healthcare professionals in delivering structured, function-focused care.
Developed within a South African context, this toolkit provides accessible, clinically relevant guidance with embedded links for fingertip access to further resources. Sign Up Below!
Why We're Attending SACNA 2026
Diagnostic delays are common in Functional Neurological Disorder, with some studies reporting delays of several years and, in some cases, up to a decade before a formal diagnosis is established.
In South Africa’s resource-constrained healthcare landscape, formal research on Functional Neurological Disorder remains limited. FND – What Now? will be attending the SACNA 2026 Conference, where we aim to initiate dialogue on how lived experience can inform clinical practice.
This isn't just research about FND—it's a blueprint for delivering FND care differently in South Africa!
South African Research Spotlight
Limited research and resources for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in South Africa restrict context-specific care. The studies below highlight clinical profiles, costs, and patient experiences, underscoring challenges and opportunities for improvement.
This paper explores Functional Seizures, also known as Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)—real, involuntary episodes often mistaken for epilepsy. It calls for greater understanding and more compassionate, integrated care that recognises the complexity of patient experiences. It also highlights the importance of clear, supportive communication at diagnosis.
This study analyses the economic impact of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) by comparing inpatient healthcare costs to other neurological conditions at Universitas Tertiary Academic Hospital. Using retrospective data from 2018–2019, it identifies FND cases and evaluates cost patterns, helping address limited insight into FND’s economic impact in South Africa.
This study examines Functional Neurological Disorders (FNDs) in a South African tertiary setting at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), using a 14-year retrospective review (2003–2017) to outline patient clinical profiles, coexisting conditions, and patterns of investigation and management, contributing to the limited African data on FND.
