Electives

Electives

Description

EEG/Epilepsy

Time spent learning how and actively engaging in the interpretation of EEG 

EMG/NCV/Neuromuscular Medicine

To get exposure to patients with neuromuscular disorders, learn the diagnostic approach and work up, recognize when tissue biopsy is indicated, interpret results of EMG/NCS studies, and learn the management of common neuromuscular disorders.  To learn NCS/EMG and describe and interpret NCS/EMG data in common disorders, learn the pitfalls and formulate basic NCS/EMG plans for specific common clinical presentations. You may do a neuromuscular focused clinic elective or a neurodiagnostic focused elective.

Clinical Neuroimmunology/Multiple Sclerosis

To see patients with various forms of MS, and evaluate a variety of `MS mimeics” such as SLE, sarcoidosis, etc. and learn aspects of neurological examination that ar most relevant to demyelinating disease patients.

Movement Disorders

This rotation will provide residents with the opportunity to see patients with a variety of movement disorders including Parkinson’s disease, tremor, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, ataxia, and dystonia. They will also have the option to attend deep brain stimulation clinic and botulinum toxin clinic.  The goals of the rotation are to learn techniques pertinent to the movement disorders exam, the movement review of systems, forming a differential diagnosis, and principles of management.

ALS Clinic (add on to neuromuscular elective)

Exposure to ALS patients. Key aspects would be learning history and examination, evaluations done to rule out mimics of Motor Neuron Disease, as well as multiple aspects of care. These would include multidisciplinary evaluations/approach to issues such as dysphagia, sialorrhea, when a PEG tube is indicated, respiratory care, as well as clinical trials and research in ALS.

Neuropathology

The elective will provide an opportunity to: 1) review normal histology and a variety of pathologic abnormalities involving CNS, nerve and muscle 2) review and discuss the pathophysiology of CNS/PNS diseases; 3) review normal/abnormal brain anatomy and function by attendance at brain cutting sessions.

Neurocritical Care

Exposure to severe neurologically critically ill disease patients such as cerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke and to the clinical approach and critical care management of these patients.

Diagnostic Neuroradiology

Experience interpretation and reading CT scan and MRI imaging studies with Neuroradiology attendings.

Neurointerventional Radiology

Exposure to clinical approach and treatment of patients with neurovascular disease, interventional-angiogram/catheter based procedures for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Neurosurgery

Rotate with Neurosurgery Pas and Attending physicians and get exposure to neurosurgical diseases such as brain tumors, aneurysms, spinal disease, hydrocephalus etc. and an opportunity to see surgical management of these diseases.

Ophthalmology

Shadow ophthalmology attendings in the clinic and see patients with a variety of ophthalmologic conditions. Get more experience with fundoscopy, recognizing common variants including optic disc edema. Gain exposure to the OCT and retinal fluoroscopy which helps to further visualize retinal disease.

Location: The Eye Center, Hahnemann campus, 281 Lincoln Street, 3rd floor. Parking and ID access are already provided with your current ID.

Global Neurology

Initiative to interact, travel and engage with communities abroad in teaching, establishing education programs, research collaboration and providing neurological outreach. Potential sites include Gujarat, India; Zambia, Liberia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic. Limited travel stipends available. 

Trauma

Rotate as a resident on the trauma service and experience acute trauma cases and their emergent assessment and management under the supervision of trauma attendings, senior residents and NPs.  This is a unique experience given that we are the only Level 1 trauma center in Central Massachusetts.  Regular Trauma Rounds are held weekly as well.

Neuroscience Laboratories

These can be arranged on a case-to-case basis based on the Specific Laboratory, and Neuroscientist/Investigator as well as the individual resident’s interest and qualifications.

Botox and/or Headache

Experience botox injection for headache, spasticity, dystonia. Treatment of medication-resistant or difficult to treat headache syndromes.

Length of rotation: 1 week at least

Neuro-oncology elective

Learn basic diagnostic methods, grading, prognostication and treatment regimens for patients with brain tumors while rotating in the neuro-oncology clinic.

Length of rotation: 1 week at least

Tele-stroke/Tele-neurology elective

Shadow on-call tele-neurologist in the evaluation of patients with neurological deficits over video from affiliated centers.

Length of rotation: 1 week at least, ask ahead of time as may not be available every week

Neuro-rehab

Rotate through neuro-rehab clinic, rehabilitation centers, neuro-rehab conferences. Learn basic management for patients with TBI, chronic stroke and other chronic neurological disorders.

Length of rotation: 1 week at least

Stroke elective

Rotate through stroke clinic. Learn about diagnosis and management of stroke and other vascular neurological conditions from an outpatient point of view.

Length of rotation: 1 week at least

Sleep Neurology

Learn about performing and interpreting sleep studies.

Length of rotation: 1 week at least. Schedule in advance and email Naomi as rotation is at St. Vincent’s Hospital (Worcester, MA) and may require additional paperwork