2024 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Jaclyn Martindale¹, Jeffrey Strelzik², Kathryn Xixis³, Neel Fotedar⁴, Casey Albin⁵, Alison Christy⁶, Rohit Marawar⁷, Jennifer Rubin⁸, Jessica Goldstein⁹
¹Wake Forest University School of Medicine, ²Children's National, ³University of Virginia, ⁴University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, ⁵Emory Healthcare, ⁶Providence Health & Services, Pediatric Specialty Clinic, ⁷Wayne State University - Detroit Medical Center, ⁸Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, ⁹University of Minnesota School of Medicine

Objective:

To develop and implement the Neurology Digital Education Scholar Program (NDESP).

Background:

By 2025, medical educators are expected to have competency in content curation, learner-centric coaching, learning environment pioneering, and technology adaptation. A Professors and Educators of Child Neurology needs assessment found neurologists want to acquire these skills, leverage social media, and document their digital scholarship for promotion but lack access to formal training.

Design/Methods:

The Neurology Digital Education Scholars Program (NDESP) teaches neurologists evidence-based practices for creation and incorporation of digital education into teaching practices, career development, and lifelong learning. Kern’s 6 step approach to curriculum development, coupled with conceptual frameworks of connectivism and experiential learning theory, were used to develop the NDESP curriculum. The NDESP is supported by a collaborative of neurology digital educators (NDEC). Simultaneous to curriculum development, infrastructure was built to sustain programming, secure data collection, a website, and social media presence.

Results:

The NDESP provides 12 courses over 10 months and is the first neurology faculty development course dedicated to (1) digital education and (2) educator development. The initial learner cohort includes 20 neurologists who are 60% women, of varying races (35% Asian, 35% White, 15% Middle Eastern, 15% Other), and generations (35% Generation X, 65% Millennials). The cohort was recruited by Twitter 25%, word-of-mouth 25%, colleagues 21%, American Academy of Neurology Leadership University Session 17%, and Women in Neurology Group 13%. The majority are Assistant Professors (60%), subspecialty adult neurologists (80%), and clinician-educators (60%). 45% have medical educator roles, 30% leadership roles, and 35% additional degrees (MPH, MS, MBA). 95% had not had prior digital education training.

Conclusions:

We have established the feasibility of a virtual digital education course and plan to evaluate the impact of the NDESP. Beyond the formal curriculum, the NDESP has fostered a digital community of neurology educators.