Objective: To determine 1) what opportunities for medical knowledge self-assessment exist in movement disorder fellowship training, 2) how satisfied fellows are with such opportunities, and 3) to provide an opportunity for self-assessment in the form of a multiple-choice question (MCQ) bank.

Background: Medical trainees are faced with quizzes and examinations throughout their education. They develop study habits and techniques accordingly and become successful in developing medical knowledge in this manner. The RITE provides feedback on neurological medical knowledge each year, and the boards ultimately demonstrate their competence in this regard. When they enter movement disorder fellowship, however, there is no board examination. Thus, the familiar preparation for and feedback from examinations to assess knowledge is likely not a focus. This may leave trainees dissatisfied questioning whether they are retaining movement disorder-related medical knowledge during self-study or in clinical activities.

Method: An IRB-exempt survey was distributed to movement disorder fellows who participate in the Tele-Education At-Large in Movement Disorders (TEAM) weekly online movement disorder lecture series [1]. The first question asked, “what forms of medical knowledge self-assessment exist in your fellowship curriculum?” The second question asked, “what is your current level of satisfaction with the opportunity for medical knowledge self-assessment in your fellowship?” To capture as many fellows as possible over time, these questions were sent out each week in conjunction with a quiz corresponding to the TEAM lecture series topic for that week.

Results: 133 movement disorder fellows responded to the survey. Only 10.5% reported they have formal quizzes as a part of their fellowship curriculum. 72.2% reported they were asked questions verbally by attendings during clinic. 18% reported they neither had quizzes nor verbal questions asked of them. Only 3 fellows reported other opportunities for self-assessment. Overall, 31% reported they were dissatisfied with opportunities for medical knowledge self-assessment.

Conclusion: 31% of movement disorder fellows are dissatisfied with opportunities for self-assessment of their medical knowledge in fellowship. An MCQ bank was developed as a first step toward addressing learner needs and continuing with previously successful learning methods.

References: [1] Mahajan A, El-Nazer R, Chitnis S. An Online Education Method for Movement Disorders During COVID-19: Opportunity and Experience. Mov Disord. 2021. 36(7):1475-1480. doi: 10.1002/mds.28648.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/opportunities-for-medical-knowledge-self-assessment-in-movement-disorder-fellowship/