Social media and social networksin neurology and neuroscience education: current applications and potential implementation

Objective: 1. To explore the key applications of seven social media platforms in the context of neurology and neuroscience education. 2. To discuss benefits and limitations. 3. To investigate their potential use for educational purposes. Background: Social media and social networks are used by approximately 4.5 billion people worldwide and have rapidly revolutionised how we interact, learn and teach. Design/Methods: WhatsApp, WeChat, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter were the social platforms investigated via explorative analysis and analysis of peer-reviewed papers. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, WhatsApp and WeChat have been used as telemedicine and training tools. They also allow the quick creation of groups for instant remote support and have been adopted as platforms for discussion. While YouTube and Facebook videos summarise basic and advanced neuroanatomy concepts, Instagram posts, Reels and TikTok seem more frequently used for schematic representations of foundational aspects. Twitter added a new learning dimension to seminars and conferences, and permits online journal clubs, virtual rounds, case studies, Q&As and networking opportunities. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter can be used to highlight contemporary and historical role models, champion diversity and showcase the broad landscape of neurology research areas to potentially fight neurophobia. Some among the social platforms might even help create a sense of identity and belonging across career steps, and can be used in public engagement initiatives and outreach activities for different digital communities. Conclusions: By taking into account the advantages, including the increasing numbers of users, scalability, accessibility, rapid incorporation and reception on the learners'side, and by finding ways to neutralise, or at least reduce, the disadvantages, careful use of social media platforms has the potential to enrich the educational experience for learners and faculty alike.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Neurology Education: A Medical Student Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the pre-clerkship, clerkship, and research experiences for medical students. Although these changes impact all specialties, we highlight the unique challenges faced by neurology education and discuss methods by which our institution is adapting to these changes at the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. We include a few examples of how some neurology departments around the country have altered their teaching methods in the COVID-19 era and capitalize on lessons learned by proposing new strategies for moving neurology education forward. © Copyright © 2020 Guadix, Sha, Sandrone, Safdieh and Sarva.