2023 American Academy of Neurology Abstract Website

Objective:

To survey the availability and components of medical education pathways at neurology residencies in the United States.

Background:

Interest in medical education within neurology is increasing, as evidenced by the recent creation of an education-focused neurology journal. To support this interest, many residency programs have created medical education pathways, though these remain largely unstandardized. This survey aims to provide information on the prevalence and composition of medical educational pathways in neurology residencies.

Design/Methods:

A survey of program directors and coordinators of 175 neurology residency programs was conducted via email using REDCap database software. Recipients who had not completed the survey were sent three reminders.

Results:

Responses were received from 42 residency programs. Fourteen programs reported having a medical education pathway. Twelve programs had pathways in other disciplines. Common components of each pathway included teaching (11/14), medical education research (9/14), course-based education in medical education theory (8/14), involvement in curricular design (8/14), participation in educational assessment and evaluation (8/14), and attendance at medical education workshops or journal clubs (8/14). Most programs provided opportunities for teaching in a variety of settings, including bedside teaching of medical students and leading group didactics. Eleven pathways provided a certificate of completion. Twelve programs reported faculty involvement in medical education research, with most having 3-4 medical education-focused faculty. Of the programs who did not have a medical education pathway, major barriers were dedicated time to create a pathway and funding.

Conclusions:

Although only a small number of pathways were identified, they were structured similarly as a longitudinal program with teaching and involvement in medical education research as core requirements. This survey suggests that there is an opportunity to develop a centralized resource for programs interested in developing a medical education pathway in order to reduce time and funding barriers, and ultimately promote the development of future medical educators in neurology.