Curriculum Innovations: Inspiring Neurology Residents to Pursue Fellowship Training in Movement Disorders

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Medical Education

Background:

• The aging US population increases the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases.
• There is a critical need for specialists trained in managing movement disorders.
• The Focus on Common Movement Disorders (FOCMD) course was established to address this need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide early-career neurology residents with exposure to movement disorders.
• To increase medical knowledge of movement disorders and FDA-approved therapies.
• To inspire residents to pursue fellowship training in movement disorders.

Main Methods:

• A 2-day educational course with lectures and workshops.
• Nomination of first- and second-year neurology residents by program directors.
• Pre- and post-course examinations to assess knowledge acquisition.
• Surveys to evaluate the course's impact on fellowship selection and clinical practice.

Main Results:

• 854 residents from 113 programs trained since 2008.
• A significant increase of 22.4 percentage points in post-course examination scores.
• 84% of surveyed attendees completed a fellowship, with 44% in movement disorders.
• 82% reported the course influenced subspecialty selection; 63% treat movement disorder patients.

Conclusions:

• FOCMD successfully introduces neurology residents to the movement disorders subspecialty.
• The educational format increases medical knowledge and positively influences fellowship selection.
• The course demonstrates effectiveness in preparing residents for careers in movement disorder management.