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

Abstract

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.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.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.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).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.