To evaluate an interactive, hands-on, skills-based round-robin workshop in which advance practice provider (APP) participants rotate through multiple stations to practice the neurological exam.

Although an increasing number of APPs are entering neurology practice, they have limited neurological education during training. Fewer than 20% of PA and 10% of NP students complete elective neurology rotations. Prior studies report APP discomfort with neurological localization and performing and interpreting the neurological exam.

We designed a hands-on, interactive, skills-based workshop in which APPs rotated among 4-6 stations taught by APP and physician faculty focused on an aspect of the neurological exam (45-60 minutes each). Stations involved live demonstration and hands-on practice with feedback from faculty. The workshop was held twice nationally at the ºÃÉ«ÏÈÉú conference (2024-25) and locally at one academic medical center. We assessed participant confidence (Likert scale 1-10) in performing the neurological exam using a simultaneous pre-post survey. Student’s t-test for paired samples evaluated workshop efficacy for each station. Analysis of open responses identified key learnings and feedback for workshop improvement.

Workshop participants included 48 and 85 APPs on the national and local levels, respectively. Mean self-reported confidence increased across all topics (p<0.0001): weakness (national: 6.2 to 7.8; local: 5.0 to 7.2), headache (national: 6.5 to 8.1; local: 5.6 to 7.2), sensory change (national: 6.0 to 7.7; local: 3.9 to 6.9), dizziness (national: 5.5 to 7.8; local: 5.5 to 7.5), altered mental status (national: 7.1 to 8.4, local: 4.8 to 6.9), and gait (national: 5.2 to 7.3). Participants stated their intention to change their practice after this workshop, including completing a comprehensive exam and adapting specific maneuvers.

A hands-on, interactive, skills-based round-robin style workshop introduced APPs to neurological exam skills and increased  self-confidence through deliberate practice and focused feedback. Our results may be generalizable to other settings/learner populations.