We explore asynchronous methods of introducing neurology education through books and movies to foster interest in neurology among college students.

By 2025, the number of neurologists in the United States is expected to decrease by 19% despite increasing demand for neurologic care. Early exposure to neurology encourages students interested in pursuing medical careers to consider neurology residency. 

Eight college students interested in clinical neurology and related fields developed a schema for selecting and evaluating books and movies for a neurology-related curriculum. Using a publication of popular neurology-related books for potential neurology book clubs and a systematic Google search for movies on stroke, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, meningitis, and epilepsy, conditions with the highest global burden of disease among all neurological conditions, students generated a list of 5 books and 5 movies for possible inclusion into the curriculum. Students rated each book/movie on relevance, informativeness, versatility, authenticity, positive impression, relevance to neurology/neuroscience (books only), and strong emphasis on disease/disorder/core topic (movies only) using a Likert scale from 1-5, with 1 being the lowest, and completed written reflections (N=96). A priori to analyses, students selected > 4.5 as a cutoff for inclusion into a curriculum.

The books Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death, and Brain Surgery, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Being Mortal, and the Elective Books had grand means > 4.5. The movies My Beautiful Broken Brain, Out of my Head, Brain on Fire, Patch Adams, Still Alice, and I Never Thought to Ask: A Mom’s Quest for Answers had grand means > 4.5.

Future work will focus on integrating books and movies through college neuroscience courses and clubs and creating a national book and movie club for students facilitated by neurologists.