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. 2022 Sep;1(1):e200008.
doi: 10.1212/ne9.0000000000200008.

Curriculum Innovations: Virtual Didactics as a Tool for Harmonizing Education About Rare Topics in Neuroimmunology

John Peters  1 , Jeffrey A Cohen  2 , John R Corboy  3 , Sarah E Hopkins  4 , Le H Hua  5 , Mihir Kakara  6 , Derek McFaul  7 , Ahmed Z Obeidat  8 , Vijayshree Yadav  7 , Erin E Longbrake  1
Affiliations

Curriculum Innovations: Virtual Didactics as a Tool for Harmonizing Education About Rare Topics in Neuroimmunology

John Peters et al. Neurol Educ. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction and problem statement: Neuroimmunology is a rapidly evolving subspecialty. At this time, fellowship training is not standardized. Discrepancies exist in fellowship programs across the United States, including in faculty expertise in rarer neuroimmunologic conditions. Many graduating fellows feel uncomfortable managing the full spectrum of diseases within neuroimmunology.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a series of live, virtual, interinstitutional seminars educating neuroimmunology fellows on topics that may be infrequently encountered by trainees.

Methods and curriculum description: A steering committee of 6 neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis fellowship program directors selected 18 topics felt to be high yield but representing unique areas of expertise. A live, interactive seminar series was organized. Recognized experts on each topic led seminars using a teleconferencing platform over the 2020-2021 academic year. Recordings were subsequently made available for asynchronous learning. Trainees were surveyed before and after the seminar series and comfort levels with each topic were recorded.

Results and assessment data: An average of 41 trainees participated in each live seminar and an additional average of 17 trainees viewed each seminar on demand. Trainee comfort levels with each topic increased after the seminar series was completed. An average of 72% of trainees self-identified as at least "comfortable" with each topic after the series compared with 26% beforehand (p < 0.0001).

Discussion and lessons learned: A year-long series of live, interactive, interinstitutional seminars focusing on unique topics within a single subspecialty represents an effective way to increase trainee comfort levels with such topics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no disclosures relevant to the manuscript. Go to Neurology.org/NE for full disclosures.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Trainees' Average Comfort Levels Across All Topics Improved After the Seminar Series: (A) All Trainees, (B) First-Year Fellows Only, and (C) Second-Year (and Beyond) Fellows Only
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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