Abstract Details

Title NeuroLytes as a novel, virtual, case-based didactics targeted at medical students undergoing Neurology clerkship.

Topic Research Methodology, Education, and History

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

Poster/Presentation
Number 001

Background Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, medical students have had their time engaging with patients dramatically decreased. In an attempt to compensate for this deficit in education, many novel teaching methods have been utilized such as the use of interactive virtual case discussions.

Objective To demonstrate that interactive virtual case-based discussions contribute to the education and satisfaction of medical students as an adjunct to standard educational practices.

Design/Methods We designed four interactive case discussions (NeuroLytes), each focusing on a particular neurologic disorder. These discussions were held weekly, led by neurology residents, and targeted at medical students during their neurology clerkship. Satisfaction surveys were distributed to medical students who participated in NeuroLytes in order to assess their subjective perception of these sessions as well as their overall perspective on how education was impacted by COVID-19.

Results Seventy-six medical students participated in NeuroLytes and responded to the perception survey. Students identified that their learning experience after the pandemic was most affected by decreased interaction with patients (85.5%), other students (73.6%), residents (46.1%), attendings (53.9%), as well as decreased motivation to study (52.6%). Students also felt their ability to learn the neurological exam, take a history, and reason clinically would be most affected (51.5%, 69.7%, and 42.4% respectively). Satisfaction with NeuroLytes has been reported as high - 86% strongly agreed or agreed that NeuroLytes should continue. Additionally, there was a significant increase in student rating of teaching sessions prior (median of 4/5) and after (median of 4.3/5) NeuroLytes (p=0.01). Similarly, there was a significant increase in student rating of overall educational experience on the clerkship as a median of 3.5 before and 3.9 after (p=0.02).

Conclusions Interactive virtual case-based discussions (NeuroLytes) appear to be a successful educational method and may be implemented in neurology clerkships as an add-on to standard teaching, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authors/Disclosures
Fabio Nascimento, MD (Washington University Medical School) PRESENTER	Dr. Nascimento has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Nascimento has a non-compensated relationship as a Editorial Team Member with Neurology RFS that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Nascimento has a non-compensated relationship as a Production Team with Neurology Podcast that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.
Michael Z. Moore, MD (Baylor College of Medicine)	Dr. Moore has nothing to disclose.
Muhammad S. Qasim, MBBS (Willis Knighton Bossier Health Center)	Dr. Qasim has nothing to disclose.
Doris Kung, DO, FAAN (Baylor College of Medicine)	Dr. Kung has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Aquifer. The institution of Dr. Kung has received research support from RxFunction. Dr. Kung has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Kung has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Workgroup member with NBME. Dr. Kung has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Editor with Aquifer.