Develop core neurological evaluation skills, including taking histories, conducting physical examinations and performing accurate and thorough neurologic exams.
You will see patients with a variety of conditions, including acute ischemic stroke, acute hemorrhagic stroke, status epilepticus and brain tumors, for new admissions and follow-up care, including post-discharge follow-up planning where appropriate.
When necessary, you will anticipate patients’ needs in a complex health system and guide them appropriately by collaborating with professionals in occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, acute rehabilitation and long-term care placement facilities.
An evidence-based approach to ordering investigations will also be a focus of this experience. You should become familiar with guideline driven management options for neurological conditions commonly encountered in hospitalized patients. Exposure to neuroimaging will also be an integral component of the experience.
This rotation serves to introduce you to the concept of neurological localization using information obtained from history and physical examination. You are given time to develop your skills in obtaining a neurological history and general physical and neurological examination skills.
At the end of the rotation, you should be able to obtain a complete medical history and perform a competent comprehensive physical and neurologic examination. You should also be able to provide a basic list of differential diagnoses for common neurological presentations.
2 weeks