Evaluation of the AANAM Education Room Efferent Educators Program: Enhancing Trainee Engagement, Inclusion, and Professional Development in Neurology Education
Lauren Grobois1, Hyunyong Koh2, Nupur Goel3, Lincey Wilson4, Michelle Lara5, Jonathon Chon Teng Chio6, Medha Tandon7, Karlos Acurio Ortiz8, Galina Gheihman3
1Mount Sinai Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 2Texas Children's Hospital, 3Mass General Brigham, Harvard Medical School, 4Tufts Medical Center, 5New York Medical College, 6Tulane University School Of Medicine, 7Mayo Clinic, Arizona, 8University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Objective:
To evaluate trainees’ experiences participating in the AANAM 2025 Efferent Educators program.
Background:
The American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting (AANAM) Education Room was launched in 2024 to foster community, resource sharing, and collaboration among medical educators and trainees. At AANAM 2025, a novel program entitled Efferent Educators was piloted involving medical student and resident ambassadors who were tasked with raising awareness about and increasing participation in the AANAM Education Room.
Design/Methods:
Trainees were recruited for this program via Synapse and email; 14 ambassadors were selected amongst the applicants. Efferent Educators attended AANAM in person and promoted the Education Room on social media, supported logistics in the room, and fostered a welcoming, community-oriented environment for trainees and faculty visiting the room. A post-conference survey was distributed via email to assess participants’ experiences in the program.
Results:
Nine of fourteen (64.2%) ambassadors responded. Most respondents (78%, 7/9) were first-time participants in the Education Room, and 56% (5/9) were attending their first or second AANAM. All participants found the program to be educational, enjoyable and valuable for their professional development. All respondents felt a sense of inclusion and most felt empowered in this role (89%, 8/9). All stated they would participate again or recommend the program to others. The three most endorsed benefits of the program included: enhanced networking with faculty and peers; increased confidence and professional identity development as a neurology educator; and a strong sense of belonging and community. Suggestions for improvement included earlier involvement, increased program visibility, and clearer expectations for content creation and engagement.
Conclusions:
The Efferent Educators program promoted inclusion, professional development, and a sense of belonging among trainee participants in the AANAM Education Room. Our findings support formalizing and expanding this initiative to strengthen trainees’ early engagement in neurology education and active participation at the AANAM.
Disclaimer: Abstracts were not reviewed by Neurology® and do not reflect the views of Neurology® editors or staff.