Neurology Undergraduate Medical Education: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Purpose

To map the current literature on undergraduate neurology medical education and research. Recommendations for future undergraduate neurology education and research are described.

Method

PRISMA—Scoping Review guidelines and Arksey and O′Malley's methodological framework are followed. Four databases and gray literature was searched with Oxford Evidence-Based Medicine level of evidence applied. A thematic framework was used to identify the main study outcomes. A narrative description and quantitative frequency analysis were used for results.

Results

Nine-hundred and twenty-two articles were retrieved, 102 studies met the inclusion criteria. We identified four main study outcomes using a thematic framework. Our review found that (1) the main undergraduate neurology teaching styles are didactic and experiential teaching methods. (2) Research design of undergraduate neurology teaching is heterogenous. (3) The outcome measures most frequently used in undergraduate neurology research are student perception and knowledge.

Conclusion

Undergraduate neurology education research is challenging due to the heterogeneity in research design and teaching methodology. Evidence-based guidelines are limited. This gap in the literature represents an opportunity to develop tailored guidelines for undergraduate neurology education and research.