Education Research: ANSWER: A Multimodal Teaching Intervention for Neurology Undergraduate Medical Education: A...

Multimodal education uses cognitive learning theory strategies. Neurophobia, "the fear of neurology and clinical neuroscience," affects medical students and doctors worldwide. Novel approaches to neurology undergraduate education can improve undergraduate knowledge, enhance student perception of clinical neurology, and reduce neurophobia. We examine the effect of ANSWER (Analogy, Switch to Clinical, Embody the Signs and Recall Learning), a multimodal undergraduate neurology teaching intervention, on neurophobia and neurology knowledge in final-year medical students.

Final-year medical students were randomly distributed into 2 groups: an intervention group (ANSWER teaching) and a control group (usual teaching). A randomized crossover design was used. Knowledge acquisition was assessed using the multiple-choice question examination (MCQE). Neurophobia was assessed using a validated scale, Neuro-Combined Measure (NCM). The Kirkpatrick model evaluated the teaching program.

Seventy-seven final-year medical students participated. Neurology knowledge significantly improved after the intervention (MCQE: median = 14, interquartile range (IQR) = 4 vs 11, IQR = 3; p < 0.001; r _ββ = 0.77), and neurophobia significantly decreased (NCM: median = 26, IQR = 7 vs 29, IQR = 7; p = 0.004; r _ββ = 0.51). A four-week washout demonstrated sustained improvements (MCQE: p < 0.001, r _ββ = 1.00; NCM: p < 0.001, r _ββ = 1.00). The control group showed no significant change in knowledge (z = -1.78, p = 0.075, r _ββ = 0.30) or neurophobia (z = 1.10, p = 0.27, r _ββ = 0.21). Across groups, MCQE median scores increased, with the most significant gain observed in the intervention group (11 [95% CI 9.80-12.20] to 14 [95% CI 12.57-15.43]). NCM scores declined in both the intervention and washout groups but remained stable in the control group. Most participants reported that the intervention improved their neurology knowledge and clinical performance.

ANSWER teaching demonstrated improvement in neurology knowledge and neurophobia among final-year medical students. Students reported that ANSWER teaching improved their understanding of neurology and preparedness for examinations, suggesting that it is a promising tool for teaching neurology.