Abstract Details

Title Ending Neurophobia with ��ɫ�� Innovations to Enhance Medical Student Interest in Neurology: A Long-term Plan to Address the Shortage of Care in Mississippi

Topic ��ɫ��, Research, and Methodology

Presentation(s) P5 - Poster Session 5 (8:00 AM-9:00 AM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 5-015

Objective Our aim is to utilize innovative strategies to encourage more medical students to enter the field of neurology to help address the discrepancy between patient need of neurological care and the number of neurologists available to provide it.

Background Mississippi is a historically underserved area with a reported number of 93 Neurologists in the state, and 47.3% are above age 60. There is a projected shortage of Neurologists in the United States. About 30% of students entering medical school consider a neuroscience field, however only 2% of graduates actually enter Neurology residency. Our team utilized innovative strategies to address this discrepancy delivered through the Student Interest Group in Neurology (SIGN).

Design/Methods SIGN organized (1) neurological emergency and procedure simulations (2) internationally collaborative journal clubs (3) community outreach events (4) research collaboration within the department (5) collaborative neurology and student research day (6) scholarship and conference attendance support (7) social events to foster interaction between medical students, residents, and faculty.

Results In the span of two years, SIGN membership has increased from less than 15 members to over 100 members. Annual SIGN meetings increased from 3 per year to regular monthly meetings with consistently increased attendance. The number of executive officer roles was doubled. This year, 9 students were matched into research projects, yielding over 10 presentations and publications.

Conclusions The projected shortage of Neurologists in the U.S. and current decreased access to regular neurological care in Mississippi requires innovative strategies to improve medical student interest in the field. Our team focused on increasing student interaction with residents and faculty in both educational and interpersonal settings. In two years, we were able to foster student interest in Neurology and grow SIGN membership nearly tenfold.

Authors/Disclosures
Sydney Bhopatkar PRESENTER	Mrs. Bhopatkar has nothing to disclose.
Delora E. Denney, MD	Miss Denney has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Carolina Headache Foundation.
Connor Bluntson, MD	Mr. Bluntson has nothing to disclose.
Elelia Phillips, MD	Miss Phillips has nothing to disclose.
John B. Ingram, MD (University of Mississippi Medical Center)	Dr. Ingram has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for UCB. Dr. Ingram has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Eisai.
Mary A. Willis, MD, FAAN	Dr. Willis has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Bristol Myers Squibb.
Sukriye Damla Kara, MD	Dr. Kara has nothing to disclose.

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