Understanding How to Strengthen the Neurology Pipeline With Insights From Undergraduate Neuroscience Students.

Despite increased neuroscience interest at the undergraduate level, a significant shortage of neurologists in the United States exists. To better understand how to generate more interest in neurology, specifically at the undergraduate level, we conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey comprising 1,085 undergraduates in either neuroscience courses or majoring/minoring in neuroscience from across the United States to better understand their clinical neurology experiences and perspectives. The survey quantitatively and qualitatively assessed students' clinical neurology exposure inside and outside of the classroom, research experiences, and career goals. Students were from a broad spectrum of undergraduate institutions (public research university [40.8%], liberal arts college [29.7%], and private research university [29.0%]). Most students (89.9%) were looking to pursue graduate studies; 56.9% reported wanting to be a physician, and 17.8% expressed interest in obtaining an MD/PhD. Of importance, students reported first exposure to neuroscience at age 16 years but felt that they could be exposed to neuroscience as early as 13 years. Half (50.5%) decided to major in neuroscience before college, and a quarter (25.6%) decided to major in their first year of college. Despite high interest in clinical neurology exposure, less than one-third of students had spoken with or shadowed a neurologist, and only 13.6% had interacted with clinical neurology populations. Only 20.8% of students felt volunteer and internship opportunities were sufficiently available. Qualitative results include student perspectives from those who did and did not work with a neurologist, describing how they were or were not able to obtain such opportunities. We discuss translating the survey findings into actionable results with opportunities to target the undergraduate neuroscience interest to improve the neurology pipeline. We describe existing programs that could be integrated into everyday neurology practices and new approaches to learning and training to help leverage the significant undergraduate neuroscience interest. We also raise questions for further research, including exploring (1) how students learn of neurologic conditions/expand their knowledge about additional neurologic conditions, (2) whether qualitative investigation of the experiences of neuroscience undergraduates at specific institutions might provide an additional insight, and (3) systems to maintain interest in neuroscience/neurology as students enter medical school.

Neurologists' Attitudes Toward Use and Timing of Deep Brain Stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore current perspectives and attitudes of general neurologists and movement disorder specialists toward deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson disease (PD), focusing on perspectives on its earlier use in the clinical course of the disease. METHODS: We designed a 30-question online survey comprised of Likert-type, multiple choice, and rank-order questions, which was distributed to 932 neurologist members of the American Academy of Neurology. We analyzed clinicians' sociodemographic information, treatment patterns used for patients with PD, reasons for and against patient referral for DBS, and general attitudes toward DBS. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: We received 164/930 completed surveys (completion rate of 18%). Overall, most respondents agreed that DBS was more useful after the appearance of motor complications and that DBS utilization offered better management of PD than medication alone. However, respondents were divided on issues like minimum duration of disease needed to consider DBS as a treatment option and timing of DBS referral relative to disease progression. Specifically, differences between movement disorder specialists and general neurologists were seen in medication management of symptoms and dyskinesia. CONCLUSIONS: There remains a lack of consensus on several aspects of DBS, including medical management before offering DBS and the appropriate timing of its consideration for patients. Given the effect of such lack of consensus on patients' outcomes and recent evidence on positive DBS results, it is essential to update DBS professional guidelines with a focus on medical management and the timely use of DBS.

Attracting neurology's next generation: A qualitative study of specialty choice and perceptions.

OBJECTIVES: To better understand the reasons medical students select or avoid a career in neurology by using a qualitative methodology to explore these factors, with the long-term objective of attracting more graduates to the field. METHODS: In 2017, 27 medical students and 15 residents participated in 5 focus groups, and 33 fourth-year medical students participated in semistructured individual interviews. Participants were asked predefined open-ended questions about specialty choice, experiences in their basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkship, and perceptions about the field. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. We used a flexible coding methodology to generate themes across groups and interviews. RESULTS: Four main analytical themes emerged: (1) early and broad clinical exposure allows students to "try on" neurology and experience the variety of career options; (2) preclerkship experiences and a strong neuroscience curriculum lay the foundation for interest in the field; (3) personal interactions with neurology providers may attract or deter students from considering the specialty; and (4) persistent stereotypes about neurologists, neurology patients, and treatment options harm student perceptions of neurology. CONCLUSION: Efforts to draw more students to neurology may benefit from focusing on clinical correlations during preclerkship neuroscience courses and offering earlier and more diverse clinical experiences, including hands-on responsibilities whenever possible. Finally, optimizing student interactions with faculty and residents and reinforcing the many positive aspects of neurology are likely to favorably affect student perceptions.

American Academy of Neurology members' preparedness to treat sexual and gender minorities.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the attitudes and knowledge of American Academy of Neurology (AAN) member neurologists in caring for sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients (e.g., those who identify in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning [LGBTQ+] spectrum) to inform future educational offerings. METHODS: A questionnaire was created in an iterative process by the LGBTQ+ Survey Task Force, consisting of 21 questions examining self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and clinical preparedness in caring for SGM patients. Participants responded to each statement with a 5-point Likert scale ("strongly disagree" to "strongly agree"). The survey was distributed via electronic and conventional mail to a random, representative sample of 1,000 AAN members. RESULTS: The response rate was 13.5% (n = 135). Most respondents (60%-66%) were aware of local and national barriers that inhibit SGM individuals from using health care services; the majority (73%-91%) felt comfortable assessing SGM patients. Over half believed sexual orientation (SO) and gender identity (GI) to be social determinants of health (61% and 57%, respectively). Yet a third would not tailor neurologic care based on a patient's SGM identity, and 43% believed that SO/GI has no bearing on the management of neurologic illness. CONCLUSIONS: Most neurologists surveyed were aware of overarching barriers to care experienced by SGM individuals; however, a minority of respondents recognized the intersection of SGM identity with neurologic health. Our results highlight awareness gaps that could be addressed via targeted educational opportunities, ensuring that neurologists provide high-quality neurologic care to patients of all sexual orientations and gender identities.