Evidence-based neurology in health education

Clinical neurology trainees undergo a lengthy and complex process requiring integration of many fundamental skills that coalesce into sound diagnosis and decision making. This chapter discusses the development of an evidence-based neurology (EBN) curriculum in health education. Teaching and acquisition of critical appraisal skills is the primary objective of an evidence-based clinical practice curriculum. Students should develop an understanding of both the importance and the limitations of clinical evidence. Emphasis should remain on high-quality patient care and the use of the current best evidence to guide clinical practice within the context of the patient's wishes and the clinician's judgment and reasoning. The chapter describes an example of an EBN curriculum based on two longstanding, mature, and successful programs targeting clinical neurology residents: the EBN curriculum from the Western University (WU) in London, Canada; and the Mayo Clinic Evidence-Based Clinical Practice, Research, Informatics, and Training (MERIT) Curriculum, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ.