Curriculum Innovation: Neuro Day: An Innovative Educational Intervention to Enhance Interest in Neurology for Medical...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Neurology
• Neuroscience Education

Background:

• Limited exposure to neurology can decrease medical trainees' interest in the specialty.
• Innovative educational strategies are needed to enhance student engagement and career consideration in neurology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase medical students' interest in neurology and neurology residency.
• To improve students' perceptions of neurologic diseases, treatments, and outcomes.
• To enhance neuroscience knowledge and physician-educator fulfillment.

Main Methods:

• First-year medical students participated in "Neuro Day," an event combining interactive multimedia modules and mock patient rounds.
• Students engaged with patient-educators presenting real neurologic cases and physician-educators.
• Surveys and knowledge quizzes were administered pre- and post-event, with statistical and thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in interest in neurology (d=0.27-0.68) and neurology residency (d=0.26-0.38).
• Improved perceptions of patient outcomes (d=0.45-0.67) and treatment options (d=0.87-1.09).
• A 35.5% improvement in knowledge quiz scores (p < 0.001) and enhanced physician-educator fulfillment (d=1.20).

Conclusions:

• Neuro Day is a feasible and effective teaching model for increasing neurology interest among medical students.
• The event positively reshaped perceptions of neurology and reinforced neuroscience content.
• Neuro Day encourages neurology residency pursuit and boosts educator professional fulfillment.