Abstract Details

Neurophobia reportedly limits career interest in neurology. Preclinical student attendance at MR provides early exposure to clinical neuroscience, potentially mitigating neurophobia and promoting career interest in neurology.

To assess whether attending neurology morning report (MR) reduces neurophobia and increases neurology career interest among preclinical medical students.

Preclinical medical students attended MR voluntarily during their second-year medical school neuroscience course. They completed pre-session and post-session anonymous surveys, which explored their specialties of interest, perceptions about neurology, and reflections on MR.

Thirty-five students participated over the past two years. Before attending MR, two students ranked neurology as their top specialty of interest and eight reported being “very interested” or “moderately interested” in pursuing neurology. After attending MR, four students ranked neurology as their top specialty of interest and nine reported significant interest.  Students were most surprised by the ease with which cases were discussed, the breadth of available treatment options for neurologic disorders, and the camaraderie between attendings and trainees. However, students felt an occasional superficiality in case discussions. Interestingly, no students found neurology to be less challenging after MR (three found it “more challenging” and nine found “no change”).  All either strongly or somewhat agreed that MR was “an effective way of integrating the preclinical course material with clinical practice,” and would attend another session.

Students appreciated incorporating clinical exposure to neurology during their preclinical years. Attending MR successfully increased exposure and interest towards a career in neurology. This study is limited by small sample size and a high proportion of participants with a previous interest in neuroscience. Further analysis of longitudinal data, including match results, will assist in quantifying the effect of MR on reducing neurophobia among preclinical medical students.