Abstract Details

Title Neuro Day: An Innovative Curriculum to Connect Medical Students with Patients

Topic Research Methodology, �鶹��ýӳ��, and History

Presentation(s) P5 - Poster Session 5 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 13-008

Objective To increase interest in and provide early clinical exposure to neurology for medical students.

Background In spite of the prevalence of neurologic diseases, the number of medical students choosing a career in neurology is small. Neurophobia is a result of lack of positive mentors, innovative educational strategies, and exposure to neurology.

Design/Methods Neuro Day was a two-part experience for first-year medical students. The first part consisted of a flipped classroom in which students were provided with interactive videos on the neurologic exam and thereafter had the opportunity to practice a normal neurologic exam on each other. The second part involved patient encounters modeled off of the traditional “patient rounds.” Patients with neurologic diseases were stationed in different rooms and students rotated from room to room. The patient was given the opportunity to share their personal experience of the disease, a neurology resident discussed pathophysiology, and students were able to elicit pathologic exam findings themselves. Students were surveyed before and after Neuro Day.

Results A binomial test indicated that the proportion of medical students interested in neurology of 85% was significantly higher than the expected 78%, p = 0.02. Similarly, student knowledge of clinical neurology and comfort with performing a neurologic exam significantly increased following Neuro Day (45% to 63.1%, p < 0.0001 and 30% to 78.4%, p < 0.0001). Finally, there was a significant decrease in the fear of studying neurology from 46% to 26%, p < 0.0001.

Conclusions Neuro Day is a feasible and effective model to incorporate into medical education. Overall, there was increased interest in and decreased fear of neurology, and 100% of students indicated that they would recommend Neuro Day to their peers. Limitations included lack of a control group. We anticipate that this paradigm can be used in the future to encourage students to consider a career in Neurology.

Authors/Disclosures
Jessica Frey, MD (West Virginia University) PRESENTER	The institution of Dr. Frey has received research support from Tourette Association of America.
Brandon C. Neeley, MD	Dr. Neeley has nothing to disclose.
Gauri V. Pawar, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ�� (West Virginia University)	Dr. Pawar has nothing to disclose.
Ann Murray, MD (West Virginia Department of Neurology)	Dr. Murray has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Insightec. Dr. Murray has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Medtronic .