To determine if case-based interactive educational workshops for neurology residents help improve theoretical and clinical knowledge on various aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Published data suggest that US neurology residents have fragmented exposure to MS training during residency. The utility of an innovative case-based learning approach to improve MS knowledge among neurology residents has not been reported.

We designed a 4-hour in-person case-based interactive educational workshop for all neurology residents at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Neurology with the aim to improve resident knowledge on MS. Covered topics included: MS definition, epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical course, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis and MS management (acute relapse management, symptomatic treatment and disease modifying treatment). Case-based and knowledge-based questions with multiple choice questions were applied using interactive online polls that residents participated in. A 10-question pre- and post-workshop quiz was given, and change in results was analyzed using paired t-tests. We also compared percentile rank changes in Residency In-Service Training Examination (RITE) exam scores by UNC Neurology residents on 2024 test (post-MS Workshop) with 2023 test (pre-MS Workshop).

A total of 21 residents completed the workshop and pre- and post-test. Pre-workshop scores (mean, 6.14/10; standard deviation [SD], 1.20; range 4-9) and post-workshop test scores (mean, 8.67/10; SD, 0.97; range, 7-10) were compared. There was a mean improvement of 2.52 points between pre- and post-workshop test (t-ratio 8.97 [95% confidence interval 1.94-3.11]; p<.0001). Percentile rank on RITE exam scores by UNC Neurology residents (postgraduate years 2-4) after attending the MS Workshop improved by 136.8% compared with prior academic year when a traditional virtual didactic program on MS was conducted.

Interactive workshops for residents can improve resident education on MS. Residency programs may consider incorporating interactive, case-based MS workshops into their educational curricula.