Empowering Neurology Trainees: Inside the ECHO Epilepsy Ontario Neurology Trainee Program with Dr. Mohammed AlQahtani

Building Expertise, Community, and Confidence in Epilepsy Care

For neurology trainees and residents, mastering epilepsy management is both a challenge and a calling. The Neurology Trainee Program (NTP), part of Project ECHO Epilepsy Ontario, is designed to meet this challenge head-on, offering a dynamic, case-based learning experience that prepares participants for clinical excellence and examination success.

NTP brings together trainees from across Ontario and Canada for weekly virtual sessions led by Clinical Leads and Resident Site Leads. Topics range from progressive myoclonic epilepsies (PMEs) and autoimmune encephalitis to genetic testing, surgical evaluations, and the effective use of anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Each session is packed with clinical pearls and case-based learning from real-world scenarios that make learning both practical and engaging.

Why NTP Matters: Insights from Dr. Mohammed AlQahtani

Dr. Mohammed AlQahtani, Epilepsy Fellow (formerly at SickKids, now at Boston Children’s Hospital), has been one of the passionate contributors at the heart of the NTP’s evolution. In a recent interview, Dr. AlQahtani shared how the program’s format, centered on presenting cases and fostering rich discussions, creates an environment that is “informative, fun, and engaging.” He credits the NTP for not only deepening his epilepsy knowledge but also supporting his personal growth and leadership skills.

As Resident Lead, Dr. AlQahtani helped form and coordinate NTP’s group of Resident Site Leads, neurology residents from across Canada, to shape the program to reflect trainees’ needs, ensuring that topics, timing, and structure were responsive to feedback from a national cross section of expert voices. “The involvement and engagement from the beginning is a huge part of it,” he notes, emphasizing how trainees are empowered to take ownership of their learning and contribute to the program’s ongoing success.

Watch Dr. AlQahtani's "In My Words" video (Run Time: 6:56 min.)

Evidence-Based Impact of NTP

Dr. AlQahtani’s commitment to educational innovation is further demonstrated in his recent publication, “Curriculum Innovation: How Effective Is a Telementoring Virtual Epilepsy Curriculum in Postgraduate Medical Education?” (Neurology Journals, November 14, 2025). Co-authored with Dr. Elizabeth Donner, Dr. Savithiri Ratnapalan, Dr. Lauren Strasser, and Annie Jiwan, the study used a randomized-controlled educational trial to objectively measure the NTP’s effectiveness.

The results were striking: trainees who participated in the NTP showed more than a 25% improvement in epilepsy knowledge compared to those who did not, a leap that Dr. AlQahtani describes as “very significant” in medical education education. Even a 10% improvement is considered substantial, making these findings a testament to the program’s value.

More Than Knowledge: Building Community and Leadership

Beyond clinical expertise, the NTP fosters a sense of community and professional growth. Trainees connect with mentors and peers nationwide, gaining leadership and communication skills that extend far beyond the virtual classroom. Many participants, like Dr. AlQahtani, have found a community of friends and collaborators building and supporting each other in their professional growth through the program.

Join the Winter 2025/26 NTP Session

The Neurology Trainee Program is currently running its winter 2025/26 sessions. If you’re a neurology trainee or resident eager to master epilepsy management, connect with peers, and learn from leading experts, we invite you to join us.

ECHO Epilepsy Ontario "All Teach - All Learn"

ECHO Epilepsy Ontario is a continuing medical education program that connects epilepsy specialists with community healthcare providers. Through our “All Teach, All Learn” model, we aim to break down barriers, share knowledge, and build capacity – especially in rural, remote, and underserved communities.

#AllTeachAllLearn #ECHOEpilepsy