Skip to main content
Advertisement
  • Neurology.org
  • Journals
    • Neurology
    • Clinical Practice
    • Genetics
    • Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
    • Education
  • Online Sections
    • Neurology Video Journal Club
    • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-racism, & Social Justice (IDEAS)
    • Innovations in Care Delivery
    • Practice Buzz
    • Practice Current
    • Residents & Fellows
    • Without Borders
  • Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Disputes & Debates
    • Health Disparities
    • Infographics
    • Null Hypothesis
    • Patient Pages
    • Topics A-Z
    • Translations
  • Podcast
  • CME
  • About
    • About the Journals
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Board
  • Authors
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Author Center

Advanced Search

Main menu

  • Neurology.org
  • Journals
    • Neurology
    • Clinical Practice
    • Genetics
    • Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
    • Education
  • Online Sections
    • Neurology Video Journal Club
    • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-racism, & Social Justice (IDEAS)
    • Innovations in Care Delivery
    • Practice Buzz
    • Practice Current
    • Residents & Fellows
    • Without Borders
  • Collections
    • COVID-19
    • Disputes & Debates
    • Health Disparities
    • Infographics
    • Null Hypothesis
    • Patient Pages
    • Topics A-Z
    • Translations
  • Podcast
  • CME
  • About
    • About the Journals
    • Contact Us
    • Editorial Board
  • Authors
    • Submit a Manuscript
    • Author Center
  • Home
  • Latest Articles
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Residents & Fellows

User menu

  • Subscribe
  • My Alerts
  • Log in

Search

  • Advanced search
Neurology
Home
The most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed neurology journal
  • Subscribe
  • My Alerts
  • Log in
Site Logo
  • Home
  • Latest Articles
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Residents & Fellows

Share

November 16, 2021; 97 (20) Research Article

Teaching the Neurologic Examination

A Prospective Controlled Study to Compare a Blended Learning Approach With Face-to-Face Instruction

Katharina Bornkamm, Cora Koch, Jörg Dietterle, Marius Steiert, Andreas Fleig, Cornelius Weiller, Jochen Brich
First published September 23, 2021, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000012851
Katharina Bornkamm
From the Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology (K.B., C.K., J.D., M.S., C.W., J.B.), Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; and Center of Excellence for Assessment in Medicine (A.F.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Cora Koch
From the Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology (K.B., C.K., J.D., M.S., C.W., J.B.), Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; and Center of Excellence for Assessment in Medicine (A.F.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Jörg Dietterle
From the Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology (K.B., C.K., J.D., M.S., C.W., J.B.), Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; and Center of Excellence for Assessment in Medicine (A.F.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Marius Steiert
From the Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology (K.B., C.K., J.D., M.S., C.W., J.B.), Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; and Center of Excellence for Assessment in Medicine (A.F.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Andreas Fleig
From the Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology (K.B., C.K., J.D., M.S., C.W., J.B.), Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; and Center of Excellence for Assessment in Medicine (A.F.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Cornelius Weiller
From the Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology (K.B., C.K., J.D., M.S., C.W., J.B.), Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; and Center of Excellence for Assessment in Medicine (A.F.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Jochen Brich
From the Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology (K.B., C.K., J.D., M.S., C.W., J.B.), Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg; and Center of Excellence for Assessment in Medicine (A.F.), Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
Full PDF
Short Form
Citation
Teaching the Neurologic Examination
A Prospective Controlled Study to Compare a Blended Learning Approach With Face-to-Face Instruction
Katharina Bornkamm, Cora Koch, Jörg Dietterle, Marius Steiert, Andreas Fleig, Cornelius Weiller, Jochen Brich
Neurology Nov 2021, 97 (20) e2032-e2038; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012851

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Permissions

Make Comment

See Comments

Downloads
136

Share

  • Article
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Disclosures
Loading

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.

Abstract

Background and Objectives To compare a blended learning approach with traditional face-to-face instruction in terms of their individual effectiveness in imparting neurologic examination (NE) skills in medical students.

Methods We conducted a prospective controlled study of 4th-year medical students (n = 163) who were pseudorandomly distributed into 2 groups. Group A (n = 87) was subjected to a traditional teaching method comprising 2 face-to-face sessions. Group B (n = 76) underwent blended learning, which consisted of an individual preparation period using a course handbook and videoclips, plus a single face-to-face session. NE skill acquisition was assessed by an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Questionnaires were used for evaluation.

Results Comparison of mean OSCE scores in groups A vs B revealed that NE skill acquisition was better in group B (blended learning), with a moderate effect size, a smaller OSCE score variance, and fewer students performing poorly than in group A (face-to-face instruction). Student evaluation revealed that both teaching approaches were well accepted, but a higher level of satisfaction was associated with the blended learning approach. This method also provided more time for practice and feedback.

Discussion The blended learning approach is a highly efficacious and valued method for teaching NE skills. It offers instructors and faculty the advantage of successful skill acquisition in students despite the considerably reduced attendance time.

Glossary

ANOVA=
analysis of variance;
NE=
neurologic examination;
OSCE=
objective structured clinical examination

Footnotes

  • Go to Neurology.org/N for full disclosures. Funding information and disclosures deemed relevant by the authors, if any, are provided at the end of the article.

  • Received February 6, 2021.
  • Accepted in final form September 13, 2021.
  • © 2021 American Academy of Neurology
View Full Text

AAN Members

We have changed the login procedure to improve access between AAN.com and the Neurology journals. If you are experiencing issues, please log out of AAN.com and clear history and cookies. (For instructions by browser, please click the instruction pages below). After clearing, choose preferred Journal and select login for AAN Members. You will be redirected to a login page where you can log in with your AAN ID number and password. When you are returned to the Journal, your name should appear at the top right of the page.

Google Safari Microsoft Edge Firefox

Click here to login

AAN Non-Member Subscribers

Click here to login

Purchase access

For assistance, please contact:
AAN Members (800) 879-1960 or (612) 928-6000 (International)
Non-AAN Member subscribers (800) 638-3030 or (301) 223-2300 option 3, select 1 (international)

Sign Up
Information on how to subscribe to Neurology and Neurology: Clinical Practice can be found here 

Purchase
Individual access to articles is available through the Add to Cart option on the article page.  Access for 1 day (from the computer you are currently using) is US$ 39.00.  Pay-per-view content is for the use of the payee only, and content may not be further distributed by print or electronic means.  The payee may view, download, and/or print the article for his/her personal, scholarly, research, and educational use.  Distributing copies (electronic or otherwise) of the article is not allowed.

Disputes & Debates: Rapid online correspondence

  • Author Response: Teaching the Neurologic Examination
    • Katharina Bornkamm, MD, Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
    • Cora Koch, MD, Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
    • Jochen Brich, MD, Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
    Submitted December 09, 2021
  • Reader Response: Teaching the Neurologic Examination: A Prospective Controlled Study to Compare a Blended Learning Approach with Face-to-Face Instruction
    • Ralph Jozefowicz, Professor of Neurology and Medicine, University of Rochester
    Submitted November 16, 2021
Comment

REQUIREMENTS

If you are uploading a letter concerning an article:
You must have updated your disclosures within six months: http://submit.neurology.org

Your co-authors must send a completed Publishing Agreement Form to Neurology Staff (not necessary for the lead/corresponding author as the form below will suffice) before you upload your comment.

If you are responding to a comment that was written about an article you originally authored:
You (and co-authors) do not need to fill out forms or check disclosures as author forms are still valid
and apply to letter.

Submission specifications:

  • Submissions must be < 200 words with < 5 references. Reference 1 must be the article on which you are commenting.
  • Submissions should not have more than 5 authors. (Exception: original author replies can include all original authors of the article)
  • Submit only on articles published within 6 months of issue date.
  • Do not be redundant. Read any comments already posted on the article prior to submission.
  • Submitted comments are subject to editing and editor review prior to posting.

More guidelines and information on Disputes & Debates

Compose Comment

More information about text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Author Information
NOTE: The first author must also be the corresponding author of the comment.
First or given name, e.g. 'Peter'.
Your last, or family, name, e.g. 'MacMoody'.
Your email address, e.g. higgs-boson@gmail.com
Your role and/or occupation, e.g. 'Orthopedic Surgeon'.
Your organization or institution (if applicable), e.g. 'Royal Free Hospital'.
Publishing Agreement
NOTE: All authors, besides the first/corresponding author, must complete a separate Publishing Agreement Form and provide via email to the editorial office before comments can be posted.
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Vertical Tabs

You May Also be Interested in

Back to top
  • Article
    • Abstract
    • Glossary
    • Methods
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Study Funding
    • Disclosure
    • Appendix Authors
    • Footnotes
    • References
  • Figures & Data
  • Info & Disclosures
Advertisement

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.

Topics Discussed

  • All Education
  • All Clinical Neurology
  • Computer use in education
  • Clinical neurology examination
  • Methods of education

Alert Me

  • Alert me when eletters are published
Neurology: 99 (7)

Articles

  • Ahead of Print
  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Popular Articles
  • Translations

About

  • About the Journals
  • Ethics Policies
  • Editors & Editorial Board
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Submit

  • Author Center
  • Submit a Manuscript
  • Information for Reviewers
  • AAN Guidelines
  • Permissions

Subscribers

  • Subscribe
  • Activate a Subscription
  • Sign up for eAlerts
  • RSS Feed
Site Logo
  • Visit neurology Template on Facebook
  • Follow neurology Template on Twitter
  • Visit Neurology on YouTube
  • Neurology
  • Neurology: Clinical Practice
  • Neurology: Genetics
  • Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
  • Neurology: Education
  • AAN.com
  • AANnews
  • Continuum
  • Brain & Life
  • Neurology Today

Wolters Kluwer Logo

Neurology | Print ISSN:0028-3878
Online ISSN:1526-632X

© 2022 American Academy of Neurology

  • Privacy Policy
  • Feedback
  • Advertise