Implementing the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Anti-racism Curriculum into Neurology Residency Education
Alissa Thomas1, Lamees Alzyoud2, Raeann Bourscheid3, Gitanjali Das4, Parisa Heidari5, Rebecca Pollard6, Robin Ulep7, Jana Wold8, Nimish Mohile9
1Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont Medical Center, 2UPMC Neurology, 3New York Presbyterian - Columbia, 4University of Utah, 5Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, 6Neurology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 7Neurology, Mount Sinai Health System, 8Neurology, University of Utah Medical Center, 9Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center
Objective:
To determine the feasibility of implementing the AAN Anti-Racism Education Program into standard neurology resident education.
Background:
In March 2022, the AAN released an online curriculum “The AAN Anti-Racism Education Program” with an objective of recognizing anti-racism as a professional competency. Sixteen Neurology Residency Programs volunteered to pilot implementing this curriculum in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Design/Methods:
Programs volunteered to participate at the 2022 AAN Annual Meeting or by invitation on Synapse. IRB approval was obtained at the University of Vermont. Resident and faculty program leads met monthly with the AAN Anti-Racism Curriculum Chair and completed facilitator training. Programs individually determined the amount of protected time, schedule, and format for delivering the curriculum within their academic programming. Participating faculty and residents were invited to complete an anonymous RedCap survey at the completion of the curriculum.
Results:
Fifty-eight participants (19%) responded to the survey, including 18 faculty and 40 residents. Of all respondents, 86% reported trying the online modules, spending 30-120 minutes per module, 50% reported that their program offered protected time for discussion sessions, and 34.5% reported protected time to complete the modules. Discussions were led by residents (27.6%), faculty (17.2%) or both (50%). Of all respondents, 91.4% believe residency programs should include education about racism, and 84.5% would recommend this program to other residents/programs. Respondents reported that after completing this curriculum they were more confident with working with people from different racial backgrounds (77.6%), caring for patients from different racial backgrounds (75.5%), talking about racism (82.5%), and understanding the impact of race on medical care and health outcomes (85.9%), and 79.3% were more confident they would react or intervene to promote anti-racism.
Conclusions:
Implementation of the AAN Anti-Racism Education Program was feasible and resulted in improved confidence amongst residents and faculty in dealing with race and racism.