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Challenges for learning neuroradiology in undergraduate medical school: analysis from the students’ point of view

Abstract:

Introduction:

The teaching of neuroradiology in undergraduate medical school must be seen as an integration tool for the interdisciplinary study of radiology, anatomy and neurology. In practice, there is a limitation on the part of students in acquiring such knowledge, either due to “neurophobia”, or due to the lack of previous anatomical-radiological knowledge and also due to the lack of integrated didactic materials aimed at undergraduate school. However, there are few studies reporting the difficulties encountered by students in learning neuroradiology.

Objective:

To assess the perception of medical students about learning difficulties in neuroradiology.

Method:

Quantitative study, carried out with medical students enrolled in the second and seventh semesters of a university in Fortaleza. Data were obtained through a structured questionnaire with 12 yes or no answer questions. The questions addressed the possible difficulties encountered in acquiring neuroradiological knowledge, among them: the lack of targeted didactic material, the lack of integration with neurology, the need for basic radiological and anatomical knowledge, the large volume of content to study, and the limitations of active and traditional methodologies.

Results:

181 questionnaires were analyzed. Most students report as difficulties: the need for basic knowledge of radiology (80.1%); neuroanatomy (77.5%); and to correlate radiology and neuroanatomy (70.9%). When comparing the 2nd semester and 7th semester groups, there was a greater tendency to point out the lack of practical knowledge of neurology by 2nd-semester students as a factor of greater difficulty in learning neuroradiology (82.6% versus 67.4 %, with p <0.0018). When asked about the usefulness of creating an e-book aimed at undergraduate students for learning neuroradiology, 85.6% of the students answered affirmatively; in the case of a mobile application, 92.3% agreed. As for the correlation between neuroradiology and medical practice, 98.3% answered that it is useful and necessary knowledge.

Conclusion:

In the students’ opinion, previous knowledge of neuroanatomy and clinical neurology is important for learning neuroradiology. The development of material such as an e-book or mobile application focused on integrating the teaching of these disciplines is considered a good alternative to facilitate the understanding of neuroradiology.

Keywords:
Medical Education; Medical Student; Medical School; Radiology; Neurology; Neuroscience

Resumo:

Introdução:

O ensino da neurorradiologia na graduação médica deve ser encarado como uma ferramenta de integração para o estudo interdisciplinar de radiologia, anatomia e neurologia. Na prática, percebe-se uma limitação dos alunos em adquirir tais conhecimentos, seja pela “neurofobia”, seja pela falta de conhecimentos anatômico-radiológicos prévios e também pela carência de materiais didáticos integrados direcionados para a graduação. Contudo, há poucos trabalhos relatando as dificuldades encontradas pelos alunos no aprendizado de neurorradiologia.

Objetivo:

Avaliar a percepção dos estudantes de medicina sobre as dificuldades do aprendizado em neurorradiologia.

Método:

Estudo quantitativo, realizado com estudantes de medicina matriculados no segundo e no sétimo semestres de uma universidade de Fortaleza. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de questionário estruturado com 12 questões de respostas sim ou não. As questões versaram sobre as possíveis dificuldades encontradas para aquisição do conhecimento neurorradiológico, dentre elas: à carência de material didático direcionado, à falta de integração com a neurologia, à necessidade de conhecimentos básicos radiológicos e anatômicos, ao volume de assunto, e às limitações das metodologias ativas e tradicionais.

Resultados:

Foram analisados 181 questionários. Grande parte discente refere como dificuldade a necessidade de ter conhecimentos básicos prévios de radiologia (80,1%); de neuroanatomia (77,5%); e de correlacionar radiologia e neuroanatomia (70,9%). Quando comparados os grupos do 2o semestre e do 7o semestre, houve uma tendência maior a apontar a ausência de conhecimento prático de neurologia pelos alunos do 2o semestre como um fator de maior dificuldade para o aprendizado de neurorradiologia (82,6% versus 67,4%, com p<0,0018). Quando perguntados sobre a utilidade da criação de um e-Book direcionado para a graduação para o aprendizado de neurorradiologia, 85,6% dos alunos responderam afirmativamente; no caso de um aplicativo, 92,3% concordaram. Quanto à correlação entre a neurorradiologia e a prática médica, 98,3% responderam que é um conhecimento útil e necessário.

Conclusão:

Na opinião dos estudantes, os conhecimentos prévios de neuroanatomia e de neurologia clínica são importantes para o aprendizado de neurorradiologia. A elaboração de um material como e-book ou aplicativo com foco em integrar o ensino dessas disciplinas é considerada uma boa alternativa para facilitar a compreensão da neurorradiologia.

Palavras-chave:
Educação Médica; Radiologia; Neurologia; Neurociências; Ensino; Material Didático; Estudantes de Medicina; Neurofobia

INTRODUCTION

The teaching of neuroradiology to undergraduate medical students can be used as a tool for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary integration within the curricular matrix of universities, introducing the development of care skills since the beginning of its use in the medical course11. Phillips AW, Eason H, Straus CM. Student and recent graduate perspectives on radiological imaging instruction during basic anatomy courses. Anat Sci Educ. 2018;11(1):25-31.),(22. Silva AF, Domingues RJS, Kietzer KS, Freitas JJS. Percepção do Estudante de Medicina sobre a inserção da radiologia no ensino de graduação com uso de metodologias ativas. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(2):95-105.. The early inclusion of radiology in the first semesters of the medical course has a positive effect, since this area allows the clarification of pathophysiological processes and morphofunctional alterations even during the basic semesters of the medical course11. Phillips AW, Eason H, Straus CM. Student and recent graduate perspectives on radiological imaging instruction during basic anatomy courses. Anat Sci Educ. 2018;11(1):25-31.)-(66. Tshibwabwa E, Mallin R, Fraser M, Tshibwabwa M, Sanii R, Rice J, et al. An integrated interactive-spaced education radiology curriculum for preclinical students. J Clin Imaging Sci. 2017;7:22..

A major limitation pointed out by students for the fixation of knowledge in basic areas is precisely the lack of integration with medical practice22. Silva AF, Domingues RJS, Kietzer KS, Freitas JJS. Percepção do Estudante de Medicina sobre a inserção da radiologia no ensino de graduação com uso de metodologias ativas. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(2):95-105.. The lack of knowledge about the possible practical applications of what is being studied generates disinterest77. Gomes AP, Rego S. Transformação da educação médica: é possível formar um novo médico a partir de mudanças no método de ensino-aprendizagem? Rev Bras Educ Med . 2011;35(4):557-66.)-(99. Shiels L, Majmundar P, Zywot A, Sobotka J, Lau CSM, Jalonen TO. Medical student attitudes and educational interventions to prevent neurophobia: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1)225 [acesso em 17 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12909-017-1055-4 .
https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/tra...
. Radiology, in this context, can assist in introducing clinical concepts in an introductory manner within the course, establishing a link with practical questions of everyday medical practice1010. Heptonstall NB, Ali T, Mankad K. Integrating radiology and anatomy teaching in medical education in the uk-the evidence, current trends, and future scope. Acad Radiol . 2016 Apr;23(4):521-6..

It is increasingly common in medical courses to change the curricular matrix aiming to adopt active methodologies as the mainstays of teaching, allowing students to freely search for the necessary contents, empowering them through their own knowledge1111. Cyrino EG, Toralles-Pereira ML. Trabalhando com estratégias de ensino-aprendizado por descoberta na área da saúde: a problematização e a aprendizagem baseada em problemas. Cad Saude Publica. 2004;20(3):780-8 [acesso em 29 jun 2018]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-311X2004000300015&lng=pt&tlng=pt .
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=s...
),(1212. Moraes MAA, Manzini EJ. Concepções sobre a aprendizagem baseada em problemas: um estudo de caso na Famema. Rev Bras Educ Med . 2006;30(3):125-35.. For the method to be successful, however, it is necessary for the student to be comfortable with and trust the numerous bibliographic sources available. In addition to scientific articles and books, it is currently possible to find e-books, websites, mobile applications and even social networks. However, regarding the latter, less traditional sources, although they are often even more didactic, they also tend to raise doubts about their reliability, somewhat limiting their use in a broader way22. Silva AF, Domingues RJS, Kietzer KS, Freitas JJS. Percepção do Estudante de Medicina sobre a inserção da radiologia no ensino de graduação com uso de metodologias ativas. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(2):95-105..

In teaching practice, neuroradiology is considered a complex subject by students. Some factors may be implicated, such as neuroscience-related neurophobia88. Ridsdale L, Massey R, Clark L. Preventing neurophobia in medical students, and so future doctors. Pract Neurol. 2007 Apr;7(2):116-23.),(99. Shiels L, Majmundar P, Zywot A, Sobotka J, Lau CSM, Jalonen TO. Medical student attitudes and educational interventions to prevent neurophobia: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1)225 [acesso em 17 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12909-017-1055-4 .
https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/tra...
),(1313. Jozefowicz RF. Neurophobia: the fear of neurology among medical students. Arch Neurol. 1994;51:328-9.; the limitations in understanding the most basic aspects of radiology itself, such as Physics Applied to Medicine and the correct use of radiological terminologies22. Silva AF, Domingues RJS, Kietzer KS, Freitas JJS. Percepção do Estudante de Medicina sobre a inserção da radiologia no ensino de graduação com uso de metodologias ativas. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(2):95-105.; in addition to the concept of three-dimensionality of the anatomical aspects. There is also a lack of material aimed at undergraduate students, limiting learning in the absence of a professional radiologist as a mentor, something that goes against the foundations of learning through active methodologies22. Silva AF, Domingues RJS, Kietzer KS, Freitas JJS. Percepção do Estudante de Medicina sobre a inserção da radiologia no ensino de graduação com uso de metodologias ativas. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(2):95-105..

Although much has been proposed, there are few national studies aimed at this evaluation, limiting the feasibility of solutions to possible problems. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the students’ opinions about their difficulties with the learning of neuroradiology, aiming to support the acquisition of knowledge in this field1414. Farias PAM, Martin ALAR, Cristo CS. Aprendizagem ativa na educação em saúde: percurso histórico e aplicações. Rev Bras Educ Med . 2015;39(1):143-50.),(1515. Ekelund L, Elzubeir M. Diagnostic radiology in an integrated curriculum: evaluation of student appraisal. Acad Radiol . 2000 Nov;7(11):965-70 [acesso em 27 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11089699 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11089...
.

The aim of this study was to analyze the perception of medical students about the challenges in the teaching of neuroradiology, including the evaluation of active methodology use in this process, allowing the construction of strategies that can stimulate learning.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out through the creation of a structured questionnaire aimed at students from a private medical school located in the city of Fortaleza (state of Ceará, Brazil), using a teaching strategy centered on Problem-Based Learning (PBL), which brings pedagogical tools that stimulate students to seek knowledge, unlike the passive methodology, which consists mainly of expository classes.

The questionnaire comprised a total of 16 items and was directed to the assessment of the difficulties faced by students when studying neuroradiology. The questions included the demographic characteristics of the population and their personal perceptions about the teaching of neuroradiology in undergraduate medical school.

The inclusion criteria were: students that were enrolled at and whose attendance was greater than 75% in the semesters that included neuroradiology: the second (due to the central nervous system module) and the seventh semesters (clinical neurology) of the undergraduate medical course. The absence of this criterion was considered as the sole reason for exclusion.

The software Epi Info 7 (CDC, 2019) and Google Forms were used for the analysis and handling of the results, The numerical results were expressed as absolute and percentage frequencies and analyzed using Fisher’s exact test and Pearson’s chi-square test.

As for ethical aspects, all respondents freely decided to participate in this study, by signing the Informed Consent Form and received a copy of the document. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Centro Universitário Christus, under the co-substantiated Opinion number 3,021,673. There were no conflicts of interest on the part of the researchers.

RESULTS

In all, 181 questionnaires were analyzed, being 91 students from the 2nd semester of the medical school, who have contact with basic topics such as neurosciences and neuroanatomy; and 90 students from the 7th semester, who attend the clinical modules, such as neurology, neurosurgery and trauma. All questionnaires were used, and it was not necessary to exclude any of the students. Most students were over 20 years old (67.6%) and there was a slight predominance of women (58.6%). Most of them (65.2%) had their own cars.

Initially, five questions were asked to evaluate factors that could contribute to the difficulty in teaching neuroradiology to undergraduate students. The first two sought to investigate whether the need for basic knowledge about radiology and neuroanatomy could represent a difficulty in the study of neuroradiology. The next two questions were about the importance of integrating radiology and neuroanatomy, as well as with the practice of neurology and regarding the study of the discipline. The fifth question evaluated whether the volume of content for the short time available could be seen as a difficulty for the study of neuroradiology.

Most of the students mentioned as a difficulty in understanding neuroradiology the need to have previous basic knowledge of radiology (80.1%), knowing neuroanatomy (77.5%) and correlating radiology and neuroanatomy (70.9%). When comparing the 2nd semester and the 7th semester groups, there was a greater tendency among the students from the 2nd semester to point out the lack of practical knowledge of neurology as a factor of greater difficulty in learning neuroradiology (82.6% versus 67.4 %, with p <0.0018). These questions aimed to assess whether the students themselves had the ability to identify the role of interdisciplinary integration in their education. Moreover, most students (89.9%) pointed out the large volume of content for the short time available within the curricular matrix as a factor of neuroradiology learning difficulty.

Next, four questions were asked to assess which teaching methodologies would be preferable, in the students’ opinion, for learning neuroradiology: PBL (problem-based learning), TBL (team-based learning), expository class (passive methodology) and display of neuroradiology exams in a report workstation.

When asked whether PBL and TBL were considered good methodologies for learning neuroradiology, 2nd semester students were more likely to respond positively, when compared to 7th semester students (p <0.004), with 51.7% of 7th semester students answering that they did not consider these methods adequate for learning neuroradiology. A total of 78.2% of the students answered that the expository class would be a good methodology for learning the discipline; however there was no significant difference between the semesters. In addition, most students reported that the use of workstations with real exams (91.1%) would be useful for learning.

The next two questions aimed to understand whether an e-book and a mobile application aimed at undergraduate students could be useful in learning neuroradiology. When asked about the creation of an e-book, 85.6% of students answered affirmatively, agreeing that it could help in the study of the discipline. In the case of an application, 92.3% agreed with an expected beneficial effect.

Finally, the last item sought to assess in a more incisive way whether the more explicit correlation with medical practice could be useful in learning neuroradiology. A total of 98.3% of the students answered that this correlation is useful and necessary knowledge.

DISCUSSION

The link between difficulty in understanding neuroradiology and the need to have previous basic knowledge of radiology, neuroanatomy and to correlate radiology and neuroanatomy corroborate the need for integration between these contents. These perceptions strengthen the introduction of radiology in the curricular matrix since the beginning of the medical course, in an integrated way with anatomy1616. McLachlan JC, Bligh J, Bradley P, Searle J. Teaching anatomy without cadavers. Med Educ J. 2004;38:418-24.),(1010. Heptonstall NB, Ali T, Mankad K. Integrating radiology and anatomy teaching in medical education in the uk-the evidence, current trends, and future scope. Acad Radiol . 2016 Apr;23(4):521-6.),(1717. Schober A, Pieper CC, Schmidt R, Wittkowski W. Anatomy and imaging: 10 years of experience with an interdisciplinary teaching project in preclinical medical education - from an elective to a curricular course. RoFo Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Rontgenstrahlen und der Bildgeb Verfahren. 2014;186(5):458-65.)-(2323. Retrouvey M, Trace AP, Goodmurphy CW, Shaves S. Redefining the radiology curriculum in medical school: vertical integration and global accessibility. Am J Roentgenol. 2018;210(1):118-22., as well as its maintenance in the clinical cycles, together with neurology1515. Ekelund L, Elzubeir M. Diagnostic radiology in an integrated curriculum: evaluation of student appraisal. Acad Radiol . 2000 Nov;7(11):965-70 [acesso em 27 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11089699 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11089...
),(1919. Gunderman RB, Siddiqui AR, Heitkamp DE, Kipfer HD. The vital role of radiology in the medical school curriculum. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1239-42.),(2424. Brich J, Jost M, Brüstle P, Giesler M, Rijntjes M. Teaching neurology to medical students with a simplified version of team-based learning. Neurology. 2017 Aug 8;89(6):616-22. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000004211.
https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.000000000000...
)-(2626. Charalambous N, Goh A, Los F, Sharma K. Does understanding basic neuroscience cure neurophobia? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2015;86(11):e4.140-e4..

Another critical point of these data is the lack of knowledge of the radiological bases, something that should be viewed with concern. In practice, it is observed that very often, the medical school curriculum does not have specific modules for this approach, creating an important knowledge deficit for the students, which may be resolved at the internship, or only after graduation, in medical practice, limiting the learning of numerous subjects during undergraduate school due to the lack of knowledge about radiology terminology and physical principles.

Moreover, neuroradiology can be seen as a mainstay of the active methodology teaching for learning neuroanatomy. In addition to the technical difficulties in obtaining corpses2727. Eppler E, Serowy S, Link K, Filgueira L. Experience from an optional dissection course in a clinically-orientated concept to complement system-based anatomy in a reformed curriculum. Anat Sci Educ . 2018 Jan;11(1):32-43 [acesso em 23 maio 2018]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28608954 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28608...
and the costs of an anatomy table with three-dimensional resources, it is possible to identify anatomy, physiology and pathology in vivo in magnetic resonance and computed tomography exams1919. Gunderman RB, Siddiqui AR, Heitkamp DE, Kipfer HD. The vital role of radiology in the medical school curriculum. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1239-42.),(2828. Familiari G, Relucenti M, Heyn R, Baldini R, D’Andrea G, Familiari P, et al. The value of neurosurgical and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging tractography in clinically integrated neuroanatomy modules: a cross-sectional study. Anat Sci Educ . 2013 Sep;6(5):294-306 [acesso em 23 maio 2018]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23509097 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23509...
. A practice that has been carried out in some universities consists in the use of previously selected anonymized clinical case work lists, where all students can see the sequential images in “workstations” appropriate for reports. Moreover, the availability of online anatomy atlases brings the students closer to the practice, without the need to be inside the anatomy laboratory. It is evident that the visualization of the images allows the practical application of multidisciplinary theoretical concepts29, being a true treatment for “neurophobia” (88. Ridsdale L, Massey R, Clark L. Preventing neurophobia in medical students, and so future doctors. Pract Neurol. 2007 Apr;7(2):116-23.),(99. Shiels L, Majmundar P, Zywot A, Sobotka J, Lau CSM, Jalonen TO. Medical student attitudes and educational interventions to prevent neurophobia: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1)225 [acesso em 17 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12909-017-1055-4 .
https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/tra...
),(1313. Jozefowicz RF. Neurophobia: the fear of neurology among medical students. Arch Neurol. 1994;51:328-9.),(1919. Gunderman RB, Siddiqui AR, Heitkamp DE, Kipfer HD. The vital role of radiology in the medical school curriculum. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1239-42..

When comparing the 2nd semester and the 7th semester groups, there was a greater tendency to point out the lack of practical knowledge of neurology by the students of the 2nd semester as a factor of greater difficulty in learning neuroradiology. This situation is pointed out in the literature as a limiting factor for the fixation of content. One solution to this issue is precisely to introduce some points of the neurological clinic in an associated manner, avoiding the lack of interest in the topic because there is no connection with practical applications88. Ridsdale L, Massey R, Clark L. Preventing neurophobia in medical students, and so future doctors. Pract Neurol. 2007 Apr;7(2):116-23.),(99. Shiels L, Majmundar P, Zywot A, Sobotka J, Lau CSM, Jalonen TO. Medical student attitudes and educational interventions to prevent neurophobia: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1)225 [acesso em 17 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12909-017-1055-4 .
https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/tra...
),(1313. Jozefowicz RF. Neurophobia: the fear of neurology among medical students. Arch Neurol. 1994;51:328-9..

One point that deserves to be highlighted is the detailed choice of the fundamental neuroradiology and neurology content for undergraduate school, something that deserves to be discussed inside and outside the universities, since the introduction of these subjects as early as in the basic cycle must be stimulated for greater fixation of this content. (88. Ridsdale L, Massey R, Clark L. Preventing neurophobia in medical students, and so future doctors. Pract Neurol. 2007 Apr;7(2):116-23.),(99. Shiels L, Majmundar P, Zywot A, Sobotka J, Lau CSM, Jalonen TO. Medical student attitudes and educational interventions to prevent neurophobia: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1)225 [acesso em 17 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12909-017-1055-4 .
https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/tra...
Sporadic meetings on curriculum analysis, including coordinators, teachers and students from different years in undergraduate school, could bring a meaningful discussion on how to proceed in the construction of contextualized content. Also, bringing students closer to the institution and among teachers themselves allows a greater integration of medical content, both horizontal and vertical, facilitating the learning of neurosciences.

It is worth highlighting the opinion of recently graduate medical professionals working in emergency rooms and in basic health units, which can bring important contributions for the restructuring of a more practical and coherent curricular plan inside the universities. Although it is quite challenging to maintain ex-students close by, it is believed that the benefits of university curriculum self-assessment would be considerable.

Chart 1
Do you consider as a difficulty for the study of the neuroradiology in undergraduate school, the lack of correlation with the practice of neurology?

The greater tendency of students in the 2nd semester to appreciate the PBL and TBL methods than those in the 7th semester brought up an issue faced in the classroom environment. It can be perceived, in teaching practice, that motivation with active methodologies may decrease over the years, probably due to fatigue and repetition, as well as the large volume of the subject to be studied and, in the case of neuroradiology, the lack of educational material aimed at this group of students22. Silva AF, Domingues RJS, Kietzer KS, Freitas JJS. Percepção do Estudante de Medicina sobre a inserção da radiologia no ensino de graduação com uso de metodologias ativas. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(2):95-105.. Therefore, students in the more advanced semesters have a tendency to prefer a more succint content, saving them the stress of seeking the knowledge freely offered in the literature. At this time, it is up to the university to enable students to feel more motivated in the search of knowledge, making the classroom environment an innovative moment and avoiding the repetition of teaching strategies over the years. The incentive to play and even the use of workstations with real exams can help in this process, as confirmed by most students. It is important to realize when changing dynamics is necessary, since the advantages of stimulating the empowerment of the learning protagonists are well established, understanding the pedagogical limitations of the methods at certain times 77. Gomes AP, Rego S. Transformação da educação médica: é possível formar um novo médico a partir de mudanças no método de ensino-aprendizagem? Rev Bras Educ Med . 2011;35(4):557-66..

Chart 2
Do you consider TBL (team-based learning) and PBL (problem-based learning) good methodologies for learning neuroradiology?

An important complaint from most students was the large volume of neuroradiology content for the short time available in the curricular matrix. It can be observed, in practice, that students go through most of the undergraduate course without adequate knowledge about the physical principles, the risks of each method, the terminology of the different exams and the practical application of test requests, something that would have a positive impact during the course if it were adequately introduced in the basic cycle22. Silva AF, Domingues RJS, Kietzer KS, Freitas JJS. Percepção do Estudante de Medicina sobre a inserção da radiologia no ensino de graduação com uso de metodologias ativas. Rev Bras Educ Med. 2019;43(2):95-105..

There was also an interest in studying with an e-book aimed at undergraduate students and/or the use of reliable mobile applications, suggesting a shortage of radiological material aimed at this group of students. The student at the beginning of the course has not yet become familiar with several medical terms and most have difficulty viewing images on different planes. Such skills can be improved with three-dimensional training, more easily available on these tools.

This result allows us to consider the use of mobile applications and e-books as good active methodologies. Such devices are highly available, being linked to smartphones and tablets, allowing quick consultations and longer study time, in addition to allowing the three-dimensional visualization of radiological structures, something that has been considered very important in the pedagogical process of radiology learning for many years3030. Tuddenham WJ. Computers in radiology. Appl Radiol. 1975;4(6):57-62.. A well-evaluated strategy in European medical institutions for the teaching of Radiology is e-Learning. It comprises precisely the use of electronic material via the internet to optimize understanding, improve skills and promote more practical experience among the students3131. Zafar S, Safdar S, Zafar AN. Evaluation of use of e-learning in undergraduate radiology education: a review. Eur J Radiol. 2014;83:2277-87..

It is believed that these data can necessarily be extended to a broader interpretation of possible and effective integrations within each institution. It is understood that bringing the radiologist’s daily life to the university, with the use of “workstations”, real report programs with storage of anonymized cases in work lists, can arouse greater interest in students regarding neuroradiology and, consequently, the study of neuroscience.

As for the correlation between neuroradiology and medical practice, it was practically unanimous that it is useful and necessary knowledge. This perception is clear in the literature, since radiology and clinical practice are inextricably associated88. Ridsdale L, Massey R, Clark L. Preventing neurophobia in medical students, and so future doctors. Pract Neurol. 2007 Apr;7(2):116-23.),(2525. Jones M, Gardner M. Neurophobia - can we overcome it to teach neurology in primary care? Proceedings of the 45th Annual Meeting of the Society of Academic Primary Care (SAPC); 2016. Society of Academic Primary Care (SAPC): Dublin, Ireland.),(2626. Charalambous N, Goh A, Los F, Sharma K. Does understanding basic neuroscience cure neurophobia? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2015;86(11):e4.140-e4.),(3232. Hudson JN. Linking neuroscience theory to practice to help overcome student fear of neurology. Med Teach. 2006; Nov;28(7):651-3.)-(3434. Tarolli CG, Józefowicz RF. Managing neurophobia: how can we meet the current and future needs of our students? Semin Neurol. 2018;38(4):407-12. and the same image can represent completely different diseases. This dependence should be used as a stimulus for the early introduction of clinical cases in the initial semesters, stimulating the multidisciplinary study, both horizontal and vertical, between the semesters.

Chart 3
Do you think that the more explicit correlation with medical practice can be useful for your learning of Neuroradiology?

CONCLUSIONS

One can observe the need for an adequate workload of Radiology in the morphofunctional labs in the new curricular matrices, allowing basic concepts to be worked on in a more permanent manner, since, in the students’ opinion, a limitation in the learning of neuroradiology is precisely the lack of basic anatomical-radiological knowledge. It is crucial to recall the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary role that neuroradiology plays in relation to other basic contents, adding basic anatomical and clinical knowledge at the beginning of medical education1717. Schober A, Pieper CC, Schmidt R, Wittkowski W. Anatomy and imaging: 10 years of experience with an interdisciplinary teaching project in preclinical medical education - from an elective to a curricular course. RoFo Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Rontgenstrahlen und der Bildgeb Verfahren. 2014;186(5):458-65.),(2222. Sheikh AH, Barry DS, Gutierrez H, Cryan JF, O’Keeffe GW. Cadaveric anatomy in the future of medical education: What is the surgeons view? Anat Sci Educ . 2016 Mar 1;9(2):203-8.. It is up to the educational institutions to explore the real possibilities of integration, both horizontal and vertical, for better learning of neurosciences. Periodic meetings between students and teachers from different years and a closer contact between the university and the recently graduated professionals can contribute to a curricular restructuring and also to an adequate choice of the fundamental contents to be addressed throughout the course.

Neuroradiology can be seen as a teaching mainstay of the active methodology for learning neuroanatomy, both due to the technical difficulties for the acquisition of cadavers by the universities, but also because of the costs of a digital anatomy table with three-dimensional resources1616. McLachlan JC, Bligh J, Bradley P, Searle J. Teaching anatomy without cadavers. Med Educ J. 2004;38:418-24.),(2222. Sheikh AH, Barry DS, Gutierrez H, Cryan JF, O’Keeffe GW. Cadaveric anatomy in the future of medical education: What is the surgeons view? Anat Sci Educ . 2016 Mar 1;9(2):203-8.),(3535. Turney BW. Anatomy in a modern medical curriculum. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2007 Feb;89(2):104-7.),(3636. Ekstrand C, Jamal A, Nguyen R, Kudryk A, Mann J, Mendez I. Immersive and interactive virtual reality to improve learning and retention of neuroanatomy in medical students: a randomized controlled study. C Open. 2018;6(1):103-9.. It is possible to identify anatomy, physiology and pathology in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging and CT scans, even allowing pre-surgical planning1919. Gunderman RB, Siddiqui AR, Heitkamp DE, Kipfer HD. The vital role of radiology in the medical school curriculum. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1239-42.),(2828. Familiari G, Relucenti M, Heyn R, Baldini R, D’Andrea G, Familiari P, et al. The value of neurosurgical and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging tractography in clinically integrated neuroanatomy modules: a cross-sectional study. Anat Sci Educ . 2013 Sep;6(5):294-306 [acesso em 23 maio 2018]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23509097 .
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23509...
, leading the student to integrate theoretical concepts 2929. Groth M, Barthe KG, Riemer M, Ernst M, Herrmann J, Fiehler J, et al. Critical analysis of an e-learning and interactive teaching module with respect to the interpretation of emergency computed tomography of the brain. Fortschr Röntgenstr. 2018;190:334-40. into medical practice88. Ridsdale L, Massey R, Clark L. Preventing neurophobia in medical students, and so future doctors. Pract Neurol. 2007 Apr;7(2):116-23.),(99. Shiels L, Majmundar P, Zywot A, Sobotka J, Lau CSM, Jalonen TO. Medical student attitudes and educational interventions to prevent neurophobia: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1)225 [acesso em 17 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12909-017-1055-4 .
https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/tra...
),(1313. Jozefowicz RF. Neurophobia: the fear of neurology among medical students. Arch Neurol. 1994;51:328-9.),(1919. Gunderman RB, Siddiqui AR, Heitkamp DE, Kipfer HD. The vital role of radiology in the medical school curriculum. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003;180(5):1239-42..

It is necessary to introduce some neurological and neuroscience clinical aspects during the teaching of neuroradiology, so that the basic cycle students can understand the importance of what is being presented to them. Another equally fundamental point is the correlation of anatomical aspects during the teaching of neurology. These two strategies are true mainstays for the treatment and prevention of “neurophobia” (88. Ridsdale L, Massey R, Clark L. Preventing neurophobia in medical students, and so future doctors. Pract Neurol. 2007 Apr;7(2):116-23.),(99. Shiels L, Majmundar P, Zywot A, Sobotka J, Lau CSM, Jalonen TO. Medical student attitudes and educational interventions to prevent neurophobia: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2017;17(1)225 [acesso em 17 maio 2019]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12909-017-1055-4 .
https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/tra...
),(2121. avaid MA, Chakraborty S, Cryan JF, Schellekens H, Toulouse A. Understanding neurophobia: reasons behind impaired understanding and learning of neuroanatomy in cross-disciplinary healthcare students. Anat Sci Educ . 2018;11(1):81-93.),(3232. Hudson JN. Linking neuroscience theory to practice to help overcome student fear of neurology. Med Teach. 2006; Nov;28(7):651-3.),(3333. Zambrano DM, Vásquez RS. Neurofobia entre los estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina de sexto a décimo semestre en la Universidad Católica Santiago de Guayaquil. Rev Ecuat Neurol. 2013;22:1-3.),(3636. Ekstrand C, Jamal A, Nguyen R, Kudryk A, Mann J, Mendez I. Immersive and interactive virtual reality to improve learning and retention of neuroanatomy in medical students: a randomized controlled study. C Open. 2018;6(1):103-9..

In the students’ opinion, previous knowledge of neuroanatomy and clinical neurology is important for learning neuroradiology, showing that multidisciplinary integration is perceived as a fundamental tool, both for the fixation of content, as well as for the arising of interest in less attractive subjects.

The creation of materials directed to undergraduate courses, such as an e-book or a mobile application focused on integrating the teaching of neurosciences is considered a good alternative to facilitate the understanding of neuroradiology, something that can reduce students’ resistance to the topic and, consequently reducing neurophobia. This result allows the assumption that, the more the real radiologist’s daily life is brought to the classroom, using lists of complete exams, visualization of images in “workstations”, the more interesting the contents of neuroradiology and related sciences will become.

This study was carried out in only one institution, which can limit generalizations.

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    Evaluated by the double blind review process.
  • SOURCES OF FUNDING

    The authors declare no sources of funding related to this study.

Edited by

1
Chief Editor: Daniela Chiesa Associate. Editor: Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    03 Feb 2021
  • Date of issue
    2021

History

  • Received
    14 Apr 2020
  • Accepted
    05 Dec 2020
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