Part I: To identify gaps in knowledge, a comprehensive list of neurologic topics was compiled using American Academy of Pediatrics board exam specifications. A survey of perceived strengths and weaknesses among these topics was distributed to senior and recently graduated pediatric residents.

Part II: To target the knowledge gaps, a child neurology lecture series and guidebook were implemented for the pediatric intern class. Post-intervention, the intern class completed a survey of perceived strengths and weaknesses.

Part I, top strengths for senior residents and recent graduates (n=64) included Epilepsy (66%), Infantile Spasms (53%), Headache (53%), Neurocutaneous Disease (42%), Head Trauma (41%) and Developmental Delay (29%). Top weaknesses included Neurodegenerative Disease (61%), Neuromuscular Disorders (47%), Hypotonia (42%), Movement Disorders (39%), Stroke (36%) and Ataxia (34%).

Part II, post-educational intervention, top strengths for pediatric interns (n=14) included Infantile spasms (78%), Epilepsy (71%), Headache (50%), Autism (50%), Developmental Delay (36%) and Head Trauma (36%). Top weaknesses included Neurodegenerative Disease (93%), Neuromuscular Disease (64%), Peripheral Nerve Disease (57%), Movement Disorders (57%), Spinal Cord Pathology (50%) and Stroke (43%).

Pre-intervention data show that clinicians surveyed felt more comfortable in management of rare diseases (infantile spasms) when compared to more common pathology (hypotonia & ataxia). Following the educational intervention, common conditions (hypotonia & ataxia) were no longer listed among perceived weaknesses for pediatric interns. Implementation of a lecture series on a larger sample may provide additional support for this educational intervention. Moving forward, we will evaluate in-training exam scores to analyze sustained effectiveness of our intervention.