Assessing Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Education Using the Neurological Assessment Competency...

Competent neurologic examination and clinical skills are essential components in the care for patients in acute hospital and rehabilitation settings. To enhance the evaluation and education of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents, the authors developed an educational objective structured clinical examination, the Neurological Exam Assessment Competency Evaluation System, and gathered 2 yrs of baseline data. The Neurological Exam Assessment Competency Evaluation System consisted of nine 9-min examination stations, seven with written clinical scenario with instructions for junior residents to complete the appropriate examination (stations: Altered Mental Status, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Dementia, Stroke, Falls, and the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury Sensory and Motor Examinations). Examinees provided written responses to posed questions for the other two stations-Modified Ashworth Scale and brachial plexus. The assessment tools for this examination were designed for residency programs to evaluate the basic competencies as outlined by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation milestones. Based on the feedback received from the examinees and examiners, the Neurological Exam Assessment Competency Evaluation System can serve as an educational objective structured clinical examination for the improvement of trainee core competencies.