Abstract:
Objective: Report survey results from global participants in a weekly, online clinical reasoning conference. Background: Access to neurology education is limited worldwide, particularly in low income countries (LIC) and lower-middle income countries (LMIC). The COVID-19 pandemic decreased in-person neurology education, but also increased online educational endeavors that have the potential to improve access to neurology education worldwide. Design/Methods: Neurology Virtual Morning Report (NVMR) is a weekly, virtual, case-based clinical reasoning conference, open freely to participants worldwide. A survey was distributed by email to NVMR participants to assess the impact of NVMR on participants’ interest in and confidence with neurology. The University of California, San Francisco Institutional Review Board reviewed the study and deemed it exempt. Results: The first 83 Neurology VMRs had a mean of 27.1 participants per session (IQ range: 9–90). 89 participants from 25 countries completed the survey. 25% of respondents were from LIC and LMIC. 58% percent of participants reported having a mandatory preclinical neurology/neuroscience course and 51% percent of participants reported having a mandatory clinical neurology rotation during their medical school training (53% from HIC and UMIC, 50% from LMIC and LIC). Only 20% of participants had access to in person clinical reasoning conferences of any type (i.e., not limited to neurology). 81% of participants reported NVMR increased their interest in neurology. Participants reported NVMR increased their confidence in evaluating patients with neurological symptoms (89%), understanding pathophysiology of neurological disease (88%), thinking critically about neurological diagnostic tests (85%), integrating neuroanatomy into clinical reasoning (82%), and participating in neurology case discussions (70%). Conclusions: NVMR had a broad geographic reach and increased participant interest in and comfort with neurology. Through virtual open-access educational initiatives, neurology educators have the opportunity and potential to reach learners around the world and reduce global educational gaps in neurology. Disclosure: Ms. Aleman has nothing to disclose. Ms. Roldan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pucci has nothing to disclose. John Penner has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Clinical Problem Solvers. Mr. Nematollahi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Berkowitz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for AAN. Dr. Berkowitz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Gidley, Sarli & Marusak, LLP. Dr. Berkowitz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Bonne, Bridges, Mueller, O’Keefe & Nichols. Dr. Berkowitz has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Berkowitz has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Berkowitz has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Berkowitz has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Berkowitz has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Content creator with Clinical problem Solvers.