Continuing medical education in epileptology: The Level 1-2-3 experience of the ILAE academy

Blümcke I, Biesel E, Wiebe S, Beniczky S, Wilmshurst JM, Mehndiratta MM, Asadi-Pooya AA, Brandt C, Arzimanoglou A, Singh G, Al Baradie R, Barba C, Bautista JF, Baxendale SA, Belousova E, Brambilla I, Burneo JG, Cabral-Lim L, Carrizosa J, Campistol J, Cock H, Comajuan M, Cross JH, Cvetkovska E, De Giorgis V, De Palma L, Donald KA, Dorfmüller G, Fernandez-Baca Vaca G, Fesler J, Garcia-Morales I, Giavasi C, Gogou M, Iglesias PG, Gwer S, Hartlieb T, Holtkamp M, Jansen FE, Jocic-Jakubi B, Kahane P, Karakis I, Kubota T, Laing J, Liakina T, McGonigal A, Michaelis R, Mindruta I, Neal A, Njoroge M, Oane I, O'Brien T, O'Callaghan F, Urrea MO, Odero N, Ortiz S, Ostrowsky-Coste K, Papadopoulou MT, Pisano T, Rada A, Rampp S, Reuber M, Rheims S, Rossetti AO, Rubboli G, San Antonio-Arce V, Schoene-Bake JC, Sharkov A, Simpson HD, Smith ML, Marti AS, Surges R, Thijs R, Toulouse J, van den Munckhof B, Vorderwülbecke BJ, Wardrope A, Wolf P, Yacubian EM (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Book Volume: 27

Pages Range: 707-717

Journal Issue: 5

DOI: 10.1002/epd2.70045

Abstract

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Academy is the world's eminent e-learning campus for epileptology. Its modular teaching content was developed to cover all competencies and learning objectives specified in the ILAE's curriculum for epileptology. The tutorless and self-paced entry Level 1 program for beginners offers an interactive case-based e-learning approach. A blended e-learning format was developed for the proficiency Level 2 with various learning domains and formats. They comprise a series of interactive, self-paced and case-based e-learning modules covering common, but also rare or complex epilepsy conditions, through state-of-the-art diagnosis and rational treatment decisions. Interactive EEG and MRI readers were integrated to support a tutorless online teaching format. An innovative adaptive e-learning format was applied for specific learning domains to reflect not only the proficiency level of the learner but also their self-confidence and perceived and unperceived knowledge of the topic. Our analysis of the completed adaptive e-learning courses revealed that 21% of the learning objectives had been answered incorrectly despite the learner indicating that they know the answer. This so-called “unconscious incompetence” should be regarded as a key motivation for building continuing medical education (CME) programs in epileptology. Level 2 utilizes a blended learning approach requiring 200 CME or equivalent ILAE credit points, earned through a mix of online learning with in-person participation in ILAE schools and congressional teaching activities. Level 3 is the subsequent step in the ILAE's structured learning path towards advanced proficiency and includes skill-based training in epileptology. Registered learners can apply for training visits in internationally renowned epilepsy centers around the world. Limited financial support is made available for selected applicants, e.g., to support candidates from resource limited settings. Designed to bridge the gap in knowledge and access to continuing education in epileptology, this unique structured learning path is open to all healthcare professionals.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Western University Canada (CA) The University of Melbourne Australia (AU) Emory University United States (USA) (US) Schön Kliniken Germany (DE) University College London (UCL) United Kingdom (GB) Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RSMU / RNRMU) Russian Federation (RU) Lausanne University Hospital / Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois (CHUV) Switzerland (CH) University of Bologna / Università di Bologna Italy (IT) EpiCARE: European Reference Network for rare and complex epilepsies Belgium (BE) Hospices Civils de Lyon (CHU) France (FR) Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Spain (ES) Ruber International Hospital Spain (ES) University of Sheffield United Kingdom (GB) Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu Italy (IT) King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSHD) / Gulf Hospital / مستشفى الملك فهد التخصصي Saudi Arabia (SA) Universitätsklinikum Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum Germany (DE) Federal University of São Paulo / Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Brazil (BR) University of Queensland Australia (AU) Universidad de Antioquía (UDEA) Colombia (CO) Universität Bielefeld Germany (DE) Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital South Africa (ZA) Universitätsklinikum Bonn Germany (DE) Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Germany (DE) Meyer Children’s Hospital Italy (IT) International League Against Epilepsy United States (USA) (US) University of Calgary Canada (CA) Aarhus University Hospital / Aarhus Universitetshospital Denmark (DK) Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (GBPant) India (IN) Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals United States (USA) (US) Universitat de Barcelona (UB) / University of Barcelona Spain (ES) Dayanand Medical College & Hospital India (IN) University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) Netherlands (NL) University Hospitals of Cleveland / Case Western Reserve University Hospital United States (USA) (US) Fondazione "Istituto Neurologico Nazionale Casimiro Mondino" Italy (IT) Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild Hospital France (FR) Centre hospitalier universitaire (CHU) de Grenoble Alpes / Grenoble Alpes University Hospital France (FR)

How to cite

APA:

Blümcke, I., Biesel, E., Wiebe, S., Beniczky, S., Wilmshurst, J.M., Mehndiratta, M.M.,... Yacubian, E.M. (2025). Continuing medical education in epileptology: The Level 1-2-3 experience of the ILAE academy. Epileptic Disorders, 27(5), 707-717. https://doi.org/10.1002/epd2.70045

MLA:

Blümcke, Ingmar, et al. "Continuing medical education in epileptology: The Level 1-2-3 experience of the ILAE academy." Epileptic Disorders 27.5 (2025): 707-717.

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