Accelerated Implementation of a Virtual Neurology Clerkship Amid a Global Crisis

Abstract

The standard neurology clinical experience in medical school focuses primarily on bedside patient encounters; however, the limitations of the clinical environment due to the current COVID-19 pandemic have accelerated the need for virtual curriculum development. To provide guidance to Neurology clerkship directors during this unprecedented time, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Undergraduate Education Subcommittee (UES) formed a workgroup to develop an outline for a virtual curriculum, provide recommendations, and describe models of integrating virtual curricula into the neurology clerkship. In this overview, we discuss different methods of virtual instruction, hybrid models of clerkship training and the challenges to its implementation, professionalism issues, and modification of feedback and assessment techniques specific to the virtual learning environment. We also offer suggestions for implementation of a hybrid virtual curriculum into the neurology clerkship. The virtual curriculum is intended to supplement the core neurology in-person clinical experience and should not be used for shortening or replacing the required neurology clinical clerkship.