Abstract Details

Title Creating and Implementing a Teleneurology Simulation: Preparing Trainees for the Virtual World

Topic Research Methodology, Education, and History

Presentation(s) Research Methodology and Education Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 029

Background Teleneurology adoption has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no standardized approaches or data on the most effective ways to teach residents teleneurology skills.

Objective We used simulation to teach trainees teleneurology skills.

Design/Methods In conjunction with our simulation center, we piloted a teleneurology objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in 2020. First-year neurology residents (N=13) interacted with a standardized patient (SP) presenting with meralgia paresthetica. We provided pertinent patient history prior to the encounter and instructed trainees to perform an exam. Residents received verbal feedback from a faculty observer, written feedback from the SP, and were surveyed after the simulation.

Results Resident comfort with televisits increased from 2.8 to 3.8 (scale 1-5) after the simulation. Residents rated the OSCE as very useful (4.8), educational (4.8) and 100% thought it should be repeated in the future. At the beginning of the encounter 8 residents stated their name and role, 3 residents provided name only. All residents confirmed the patient's name, none confirmed date of birth. Every encounter began with the camera cutting off the bottom half of the SP’s face. Many trainees did not ask the SP to adjust the camera initially. After they asked, there was not always adequate visualization of the lower extremities during the exam. Some examination methods were more effective than others in confirming normal strength and sensory loss in the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

Conclusions Simulation can be utilized to train residents in teleneurology. While the neurologic exam is nuanced and key to diagnosis, most elements can be adequately performed virtually if the examiner is properly trained. Future curricula may focus on encouraging a more standardized approach to teaching the teleneurology exam. We support incorporating teleneurology simulation early in residency in order to prepare residents for practicing teleneurology during and after training.

Authors/Disclosures
Rebecca Stainman, MD (Nemour's Children's Health) PRESENTER	Dr. Stainman has nothing to disclose.
Steve C. Han, MD	Dr. Han has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
Neil A. Busis, MD, FAAN (NYU Langone Health)	Dr. Busis has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Busis has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Neurology Today.
Arielle M. Kurzweil, MD, FAAN (NYU)	Dr. Kurzweil has nothing to disclose.