Education Research: Brick by NeuroBrick-A Collaborative Framework for Digital Content Creation.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Medical students increasingly rely on online resources, many of which are unvetted or behind paywalls, creating variability in quality and access. To address this, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHUSOM) and Harvard Medical School (HMS) developed NeuroBricks-peer-reviewed, case-based neurology modules designed to strengthen clinical reasoning and decision making. This study evaluated their feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability by examining student satisfaction and perceived educational impact across 2 institutions with different curricular structures.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective feasibility and evaluation study of the NeuroBricks Library, analyzing anonymous survey data from medical students at JHUSOM and HMS collected between January 2023 and June 2025. At JHUSOM, NeuroBricks were required during the neurology clerkship; at HMS, they were offered as optional resources. Surveys assessed satisfaction, perceived improvements in clinical skills, and preferred learning modalities. Five pilot NeuroBricks were initially released, expanding to 13 by November 2024. Likert scale responses were analyzed descriptively, and open-ended comments underwent thematic analysis. We also collected informal feedback on participant perceptions of the NeuroBrick creation process, along with anonymized platform analytics on global reach and usage.

Results: A total of 343 medical students participated. At JHUSOM, mean satisfaction ratings for the 5 pilot NeuroBricks ranged from 4.08 to 4.11 (5-point scale). Among 71 students evaluating the complete 13-module library, most reported improved recognition of neurologic symptoms (54 [76.1%]), interpretation of abnormal findings (48 [67.6%]), and preparedness for patient encounters (52 [73.2%]). Most preferred asynchronous learning (49 [69%]) and rated interactive features as engaging (48 [67.6%]). At HMS, 85% (17/20) were likely to recommend NeuroBricks, with thematic analysis revealing increased confidence, targeted learning, and supplemental value for shelf examination preparation. Module developers reported positive perceptions of the creation process, and analytics demonstrated global reach across 34 countries.

Discussion: The multi-tiered mentorship model successfully supported the creation of the NeuroBricks Library while students demonstrated strong satisfaction with its content and perceived impact. Required integration into clerkships promoted greater engagement than optional use. By providing peer-reviewed, clinically focused modules, this scalable, open-access approach helps overcome key barriers in neurology education and can be extended to other specialties, particularly where faculty or resources are limited.