New Online Curriculum for Evaluating Neurologic Symptoms in Internal Medicine

July 9, 2009

The AAN has developed a new curriculum to help medical students, residents in internal medicine, and other non-neurologists evaluate neurologic symptoms in internal medicine. A collaboration between the AAN and the American College of Physicians (ACP), each chapter of the curriculum was written by a neurologist and co-authored by an internist.

The curriculum, entitled "Approach to Common Neurological Symptoms in Internal Medicine," is available online and is also included in the Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program, 15th ed., Neurology syllabus and web enhancement for the ACP's textbook for medical students, Internal Medicine Essentials for Clerkship Students.

"We felt that it was important to help internists to quickly and accurately evaluate common neurologic symptoms and help them understand which symptoms require urgent referral to neurology," said Barbara Scherokman, MD, FAAN, FACP, past chair of the Subcommittee on Education for Non-neurologists, which developed the curriculum.

The curriculum is a valuable resource for Non-Neurologist Clinician members of the AAN. "It would be a helpful tool for teaching nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and triage nurses," Scherokman said.

The curriculum includes videos, images, and audio, as well as tables and diagrams. The case-based curriculum covers 10 key symptoms seen by internists, including dizziness, headache, visual disturbance, and memory impairment.

The curriculum is currently available in the Education section of AAN.com. For more information, contact Mary Cress at mcress@aan.com or (651) 695-2754.

Read a related interview with Barbara Scherokman.

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