As a junior resident, you will assume direct responsibility for select patients in diverse hospital settings. You also will learn fundamental diagnostic and treatment modalities and become familiar with various neurodiagnostic tools.
This year, you will focus on common neurological conditions in hospitalized patients at four sites: Buffalo General Medical Center, Gates Vascular Institute, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Buffalo VA Medical Center.
With guidance from neurologists and senior residents, you will become proficient in diagnosing and treating basic neurological disorders — including indications for diagnostic tests — and in performing basic neurologic bedside procedures.
You will further refine your history-taking and physical examination skills. During your first three modules, you will be evaluated by an attending neurologist as you perform a neurological and physical exam.
You also will begin following your own panel of patients in ambulatory clinic settings and will be introduced to child neurology.
In addition, you will become familiar with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and techniques, along with their underlying basic science, completing your initial experiences in electrophysiology, electromyography and neuroimaging.
| Rotation | Length of Rotation |
|---|---|
| Adult Neurology | 8 modules |
| Electromyography (EMG) and Neuromuscular | 1 module |
| Electrophysiology - Electroencephalography (EEG) and Evoked Potentials | 1 module |
| Neuroimaging | 1 module |
| Child Neurology | .5 module |
| Night Float | 1.5 modules |
1 module = 4 weeks
During each module, you will enhance your knowledge of a particular area of neurology or basic neuroscience by participating in our diverse lecture training.
Topics include: neuropathology, clinical neurophysiology (including applications to nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography), neuropsychology, neural development, neurochemistry, neuropharmacology, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, epidemiology, neuroanatomy (cranial nerves, cerebellum, brainstem circuits), EEG, neuroimaging, psychiatry, physiology of vision, language and aphasia, auditory system, cancer of the nervous system, treatment of movement disorders, statistics, ethics, and MRI/CT physics (during EMG/EEG rotations).
An annual lecture series focuses on quality improvement issues.
In preparation for your research project, you can begin familiarizing yourself with potential faculty mentors and their areas of expertise. You may begin your research training this year if you want to complete a more intensive, three-year research project.
Through formal and informal forums, you will gradually assume a greater role in educating less experienced members of your team, including other residents and medical students, as well as other health care professionals.
You also will take on more responsibility for planning and supervising teaching conferences.