Use It or Lose It
Dr. Rajarajan noted that the program doesn’t require significant planning or extra staff, is not resource-intensive, and can be adapted to different services such as emergency departments and other learner populations.
But time will tell if the newfound confidence of those taking the program actually lasts.
“You have to keep using it,” he said. “You use it or lose it when comes to these skills.”
Commenting on the initiative, Denney Zimmerman, DO, Neurocritical Care Faculty, Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville, Tennessee, and cochair of the AAN session featuring the study, called the program a good example of one way to counteract “neurophobia” and address the widespread neurologist shortage in the United States.
A 2019 AAN report showed that by 2025, almost every state in the United States will have a mismatch between the number of practicing neurologists and the demand from patients with neurologic conditions. The report offered several ways to address the shortage, including more neurology-focused training for internal medicine doctors during their residency.
“They’re usually on the front line, both in the hospital and in the clinics, and can help expedite patients who need to be seen by neurology sooner rather than later,” Dr. Zimmerman said.
Dr. Zimmerman noted that the study assessed how well participants perceived the program but not whether it improved their skills.
He pointed out that different groups may assess different diseases during their training session. “I think it’s important to ensure you’re hitting all the major topics.”
The study received funding from MGB Centers of Expertise Education Grant. Drs. Rajarajan and Zimmerman reported no relevant conflicts of interest.
A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.