FEASIBILITY OF AN INTERACTIVE, ITERATIVE ZOOM-BASED ANTI-RACISM COURSE FOR ACADEMIC NEUROLOGY FACULTY

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Neurology
• Health Equity

Background:

• Medical education increasingly includes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but neurology faculty require formal training on race and racism.
• Addressing racism in medicine is crucial for advancing health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and assess the feasibility, efficacy, and impact of an interactive, Zoom-based anti-racism curriculum for neurology faculty.
• To foster learning and discussion on race and racism within the neurology department.

Main Methods:

• A Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) curriculum was delivered to neurology faculty over two academic years (2021-2022 and 2023-2024).
• The curriculum comprised seven Zoom-based didactic sessions and expert-led group discussions.
• Pre- and post-curriculum surveys evaluated changes in attitudes, knowledge, confidence, and feedback regarding race and racism in medicine.

Main Results:

• 90% of faculty participated, with nearly all endorsing the curriculum's utility and expressing continued interest.
• Participants reported increased concern about race in medical algorithms and greater confidence in discussing race-based issues, particularly early-career faculty.
• Qualitative data revealed awareness of racism in neurology and a demand for ongoing anti-racism education.

Conclusions:

• Most academic neurology faculty acknowledge the necessity of anti-racism education.
• Interactive, virtual sessions are a viable method for delivering such education and promoting dialogue.
• Repeating the anti-racism curriculum is beneficial for academic neurologists.