Abstract Details

Title Advocacy Training in Medical �鶹��ýӳ��: Results of a Novel Curriculum for Neurology Residents

Topic Practice, Policy, and Ethics

Presentation(s) P8 - Poster Session 8 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 7-002

Objective The primary objective is to pilot a novel curriculum in advocacy education for neurology residents, and to assess residents' opinions and experiences on physician advocacy before and after completion of the curriculum.

Background Neurologists have the potential to be effective advocates for their patients and their profession, yet formal training in advocacy skills and public policy is not provided in all neurology residencies. While a few advocacy curricula have been published in other specialties, there are no published advocacy curricula for neurology residents.

Design/Methods An anonymous online survey was administered to neurology residents inquiring about knowledge, experience, and opinions on physician advocacy prior to the start of the curriculum. The neurology residents then completed a curriculum in physician advocacy comprised of a series of interactive lectures as well as a group advocacy project. Upon completion of the curriculum, residents were asked to complete the same anonymous online survey with additional questions seeking curriculum feedback. The curriculum took place over 3 months. Data was collected using Qualtrics.

Results Eleven residents completed the pre-intervention survey and nine residents completed the post-intervention survey. Pre-curriculum, 72% of residents reported low familiarity with physician advocacy, but following the curriculum, 63% of participants felt they received adequate training in advocacy, and 75% indicated interest in advocacy during their careers. Post-curriculum, residents participated in �鶹��ýӳ�� Neurology on the Hill, �鶹��ýӳ�� Neurology off the Hill, and a community outreach project.

Conclusions This is the first time an advocacy curriculum for neurology residents has been reported. More data is needed to determine the efficacy of advocacy curriculum as it relates to residents future involvement in physician advocacy, and to create a model that may be adaptable to other institutions. This preliminary data suggests that advocacy curriculum during residency may be an efficacious way to bolster interest in physician advocacy.

Authors/Disclosures
Vincent LaBarbera, MD (Brown Neurology) PRESENTER	Dr. LaBarbera has nothing to disclose.
Kara Stavros, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ��	Dr. Stavros has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Springer Healthcare LLC. Dr. Stavros has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for Rhode Island Medical Society.
Jonathan Cahill, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ�� (Brown Neurology)	The institution of Dr. Cahill has received research support from Roche / Genentech. Dr. Cahill has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.