Dr. Annie McDonough, UCSF Neurology Residency Class of 2024

Global health site: Lusaka, Zambia

What was the goal of your project? I worked with the neurology team at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia to develop and run a virtual “flipped classroom” neurology course. The goals were to offer a free, introductory virtual neurology course to physicians across African countries, and to compare the effectiveness of virtual “flipped classroom” and traditional lecture-based curricula.

How did you spend your time (and/or what did you learn from the experience)? I spent my time in Zambia launching the course, teaching medical students, and leading a flipped classroom methodology training. I also rotated on the inpatient wards service and in weekly neurology clinics. My project really underscored the importance of collaboration and feedback in adapting different educational methods and materials to new settings.

Advice to trainees interested in global neurology: Don’t be afraid to reach out to others for advice or guidance—I have found the global neurology community to be incredibly supportive! There are many ways to incorporate global health equity work into training and practice, and it can be helpful to speak with people who have followed different paths.