ABSTRACT
Objective: To (1) determine the proportion of international submissions and accepted manuscripts in the Neurology® Resident & Fellow Section (RFS);(2) identify the most popular subsections;(3) assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and introduction of consent to disclose for case-based submissions. Background: The trainee-run Neurology® RFS was started in 2004. There have been several adjustments to expand the global reach of the RFS. However, recent changes from the COVID-19 pandemic and a new requirement for informed consent for all case-based manuscripts may negatively affect authors. Design/Methods: We analyzed submissions and acceptance rates by year and classified them by origin as US or international. We assessed whether the changes described above affected the overall submission rate (comparing 1.5 years before/after March 11, 2020 for COVID-19 and 6 months before/after new consent requirement). Results: Between 2005 and 2020, the RFS received 6,822 submissions and 6,522 (42% from US authors) were included in this analysis. Of them, 1,904 manuscript were accepted (51% from US authors). Over this period, acceptance rates declined from 67% to 17%. The proportion of manuscripts submitted from outside the US has increased from 50% (2004) to 61% (2020) (p<0.0001). Acceptance rates for US and international papers in 2005 were 73% and 60%, respectively (difference: 13.3%;95%-CI -19.5-21%). In 2020, they decreased to 20% and 15%, respectively (difference: 4.73%;95%-CI 0.09-9.59%). The most popular subsection was Teaching NeuroImages, constituting 39% and 58% of submissions from US and international authors, respectively. The number of submissions increased by 28% in the 18 months after COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic (1,594 vs. 1,241 in the preceding 18 months). After the consent requirements went into effect, we did not see a decline of submissions. Conclusions: The RFS has become increasingly international in terms of submissions, acceptance rate, and participation of members located outside the US.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the use of social media by the Resident and Fellow Section (RFS) of Neurology to expand and engage readers in research and educational content. Background: Social media is used by medical journals to disseminate health research [1], a practice more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. Delivering educational materials and engaging readership through social media may also be used to educate trainees. Design/Methods: In January 2019, the RFS developed and implemented a strategy for disseminating educational materials through Instagram. The initiative expanded to Facebook and Twitter in January 2020 and February 2020, respectively. Each post highlighted a recent RFS publication, summarized the key teaching point, and included key images and/or videos when appropriate. In June 2020, posts were expanded to include interactive quizzes to maximize audience engagement. Posts were shared in the American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) social media accounts. Reach and readership engagement were measured by tracking social media account users and average engagement. Results: From January 2019 to October 2020, 70 posts were delivered across three social media platforms: 54 were Teaching (Video) NeuroImages, 6 Pearls and Oy-sters, 7 e-Pearls, 2 Mystery Cases, and 1 Child Neurology post. Over this time, social media followers increased on all platforms: 312.5% on Instagram, 12.9% on Twitter, 10% on Facebook. On Twitter, there was an increase in impressions (74.5%), engagements (121%), and post link clicks (38.7%). On Facebook, there was a 34.6% increase in total engagements. Overall, teaching Video NeuroImages produced the highest level of engagement. Posts with polls and/or quizzes were well received by audience on all platforms and also received high levels of participation. Conclusions: The RFS successfully used social media to increase visibility of trainee publications and deliver educational content. Content with interactivity (e.g., quizzes) and that included patient videos tended to produce the most engagement.