Core competencies in neurology resident education: a review and tips for implementation

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Core Competency project for graduate medical education was developed in the late 1990s and is now being implemented in residency programs across all specialties. Program directors and residents in neurology are seeking national guidance in how to adjust educational curricula and establish new evaluation tools that meet ACGME standards.

This review summarizes the competency movement and outlines specific guidelines and resources for neurology programs including national efforts underway through the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), Neurology Residency Review Committee, and other subspecialty organizations. Resident and program director concerns for implementation are highlighted, with a focus on use of national resources and established evaluation tools.

All neurology programs must comply with new requirements generated by the competencies that will require significant time and energy for program directors. An effective approach to implementation involves careful review of existing evaluation tools established by other subspecialties and expansion of reliable tools used already in place in most programs such as the mock oral board and RITE In-Training Examination. The individual program director is encouraged to monitor resources nationally through the AAN Program Director's Consortium and locally through institutional projects which can incorporate neurology residents.