191 The neurology grand(ish) round

Abstract

Anecdotally the neurology grand round (NGR) is perceived as a beneficial learning opportunity but it is also an event that many trainees do not enjoy for a myriad of reasons. This project sought to explore these perceptions and uncover the beliefs that underpin them.All neurology trainees in a neuroscience centre were invited to take part in a semi-structured focus group. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used given the relative naivety of the phenomenon being studied.Eight participants consented to take part; two focus groups were conducted with four participants in each group. The data was analysed and divided into appropriately derived codes, themes and sub- themes. Main themes generated included; ‘learning environment’, ‘role of the consultant’, ‘questioning style, ‘learning format’, ‘future employment’ and ‘role of seniority’.Positive perceptions were based on the ability of the NGR to bring to life and contextualise theoretical prin- ciples in clinical neurology. Barriers to effective learning in the grand round included the anxiety inducing nature of the learning environment and the targeting of individual trainees for public questioning. Future NGRs should be designed to take these perceived barriers into account and improve the educational experience for all neurology trainees, regardless of level of experience.guleed.adan@liverpool.ac.uk