Editors' note: Characteristics of graduating US allopathic medical students pursuing a career in neurology

Abstract

In “Characteristics of graduating US allopathic medical students pursuing a career in neurology,” Gutmann et al. reviewed the responses of 51,816 matriculating and graduating medical students to questionnaires designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges and found that pursuit of a career in neurology was associated with the following: (1) an undergraduate major of neuroscience/psychology; (2) participation in an MD/PhD program; and (3) a positive impression of the basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkship. Factors that dissuaded students from pursuing a career in neurology included concerns about salary and work/life balance. Santoro complimented the study and noted that early engagement with academic neurologists can combat neurophobia; to achieve this, he called on neurologists to become more actively involved in each stage of the medical education. Similarly, Moya-Salazar et al. commented that early exposure to basic neurosciences during undergraduate education may foster additional interest in the field of neurology and they recommended review of Pedro Ortiz's writings on the nervous system. Gutmann agreed that (1) early education about neurologic localization and the effects of damage to the individual and (2) engagement with mentors could increase the student interest in neurology. Gutmann and Soni subsequently noted that the American Academy of Neurology is working to improve the student interest in neurology by (1) advocating for a mandatory neurology clerkship, (2) publishing core curriculum guidelines for the neurology clerkship, (3) providing neurosciences course directors with resources aimed at improving education and collaboration, and (4) developing a core curriculum for the basic neurosciences course. In “Characteristics of graduating US allopathic medical students pursuing a career in neurology,” Gutmann et al. reviewed the responses of 51,816 matriculating and graduating medical students to questionnaires designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges and found that pursuit of a career in neurology was associated with the following: (1) an undergraduate major of neuroscience/psychology; (2) participation in an MD/PhD program; and (3) a positive impression of the basic neuroscience course and neurology clerkship. Factors that dissuaded students from pursuing a career in neurology included concerns about salary and work/life balance. Santoro complimented the study and noted that early engagement with academic neurologists can combat neurophobia; to achieve this, he called on neurologists to become more actively involved in each stage of the medical education. Similarly, Moya-Salazar et al. commented that early exposure to basic neurosciences during undergraduate education may foster additional interest in the field of neurology and they recommended review of Pedro Ortiz's writings on the nervous system. Gutmann agreed that (1) early education about neurologic localization and the effects of damage to the individual and (2) engagement with mentors could increase the student interest in neurology. Gutmann and Soni subsequently noted that the American Academy of Neurology is working to improve the student interest in neurology by (1) advocating for a mandatory neurology clerkship, (2) publishing core curriculum guidelines for the neurology clerkship, (3) providing neurosciences course directors with resources aimed at improving education and collaboration, and (4) developing a core curriculum for the basic neurosciences course.