I am a physician, a radiologist, so I do not know a lot about neuropathy. Sure I can spot masses, MS plaques, spinal disk disease, etc that can lead to neuropathy, but this is not the same a clinical diagnosis. Neuropathy may be easy to diagnose, but finding the cause and thus the treatment can be extremely difficult. I am idiopathic myself as all of my studies, except the skin biopsy proving I have a small fiber neuropathy, have been normal. Although, I just found out that my free T3 and free T4 are low normal. My TSH was about 1.1, so I'm not exactly sure what to think. Might have to get with an endocrinologist. In terms of education, I have 4 years undergraduate, 4 years medical school, 5 years residency, and 1 year of fellowship. I could have started at preschool and graduated from high school twice. In terms of "updating" knowledge, I have to document continuing medical education annually, as well as get re-certified every 10 years. These are all requirements in the states. Timing of re-certification will depend on specialty. I know that some doctors do not have good people skills or clinical skills or both. Please do not lump all of us with the few bad apples. Remember that the lowest person graduating from medical school is still called doctor. It is always best to research the physician and ask for referrals and then you can significantly limit your exposure to the bad ones.

Sorry for the rant.