OVERVIEW
The University of Washington School of Medicine provides an ideal academic environment for advanced clinical training in neurology. The clinical programs that Neurology regularly interacts with, including Neurosurgery, Internal Medicine, Psychiatry and Rehabilitation Medicine, are exceptionally strong. The University of Washington is home to an outstanding community of basic neuroscientists and the Interdisciplinary Neurobiology Training Program is among the best in the country. Opportunities for training in clinical research are equally strong, and include the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program as well as a world-renowned School of Public Health and Community Medicine.
RESIDENCY YEAR ONE
In the first year, the resident usually spends ten months, in two month blocks, as the junior ward resident on the adult neurology services at University of Washington Medical Center, Veterans Affairs of Puget Sound Hospital, and Harborview Medical Center. Two months are spent on the child neurology service at Children's Hospital and Medical Center. Under the guidance of attendings and senior residents, the junior resident is responsible for care of ward patients and consultations. There are separate inpatient and consultation teams, which are each headed by a first year Neurology resident. The inpatient team consists of medical students, interns and occasionally residents from other services. The chief resident and the attending work closely with the first year resident to ensure the highest quality patient care. The consult team may involve medical students or residents from other services, and follows all inpatient Neurology consultations. While at Harborview Medical Center, the junior resident is responsible for management of inpatients as part of a larger team of physicians, pharmacists, and mid-level care providers (Nurse Practitioners). On call at Harborview all residents do consultations in the Emergency Room and throughout the hospital. The neurology resident conducts daily work rounds and attends between one to three weekly clinics, including a half-day of continuity clinic. All patients, whether inpatients or outpatients, are presented to the attending physician.
Requirements: 10 inpatient clinical months of adult Neurology, 2 months inpatient Pediatric Neurology, weekly continuity clinics, 3 Grand Rounds Presentations, participation in the RITE examination.
RESIDENCY YEAR TWO
In the second year, the resident typically has a more varied clinical experience. This time may be spent in various settings: inpatient, outpatient, research, or elective services. Most trainees divide elective time among neuropathology, electroencephalography and electromyography. In addition, some residents elect to spend time with other disciplines including neuroradiology, psychiatry, neuro-ophthalmology, neurosurgery, neuro-otology and rehabilitation medicine. Trainees wishing to obtain a specific research experience may modify their non-clinical time accordingly. While on inpatient rotations, the second year resident serves as the senior (Chief) resident and is responsible for overseeing the Neurology team at that hospital. During the non-ward rotations, the resident participates in weekly neurology conferences, and maintains contact with patients by attending a variety of general and subspecialty neurology clinics, as well as a weekly continuity clinic. Usually one month will be spent on the outpatient clinic service at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Second year residents are encouraged to attend one department-supported clinical conference during this year. There are many opportunities for writing case reports, and faculty members are always available to assist in the preparation of such. Each resident is required to make three case-related presentations during Neurology Grand Rounds.
Requirements: 11 months of adult Neurology (inpatient, outpatient, elective, research), 1 month of inpatient/outpatient Pediatric Neurology, weekly continuity clinics, 3 Grand Rounds Presentations, participation in the RITE examination.
RESIDENCY YEAR THREE
In the third clinical year, the trainee serves as senior (Chief) adult neurology resident while on inpatient teams, usually for 1 or 2 months at each of the three affiliated adult hospitals. Pediatric neurology residents spend this year at Children's Hospital and Medical Center. Additional non-ward time is usually available during this year. While on an inpatient service, the senior resident is responsible for overseeing the ward and consultation teams, assisting with neurodiagnostic studies, consulting in the emergency room, coordinating the clinical conferences, and arranging appointments for patients to the outpatient clinics. The full- and part-time faculty provides supervision, but by this stage of the program, the trainee is allowed considerable opportunity to make independent decisions regarding patient management. The senior residents also take on expanded teaching responsibilities and may be selected to lecture on neurological topics to students and residents. Additionally, each senior resident is required to make three case-related presentations during Neurology Grand Rounds.
Requirements: 12 months of adult Neurology (clinical, elective, research), weekly continuity clinics, 3 Grand Rounds Presentations, participation in the RITE examination.
BEYOND THE RESIDENCY
Approximately half of the residents graduating from the University of Washington Neurology program obtain fellowships for further training, while the other half elect private practice. Support for fellowship training in EEG and neurophysiology, neuropathology, and EMG are available at the UW through training grants and other funds. Individual fellowship training can be arranged by working out a training program with a chosen preceptor and applying to the NIH or other funding sources for financial support. 2004 will be the first year for an innovative NeuroHospitalist training program at Harborview Medical Center.
For additional information, visit the Neurology web site.
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PROGRAM DIRECTOR |
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PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR |
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Phillip Swanson, MD, PhD |
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Catherine Dinnie |
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Program Director |
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Program Supervisor |
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Neurology |
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Neurology |
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Box 356465 |
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Box 356465 |
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Room RR-648 |
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Room RR-650 |
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Phone: 206-616-5208 |
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Phone: 206-616-5207 |
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Fax: 206-685-8100 |
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Fax: 206-685-8100 |
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swansonp@u.washington.edu |
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dinnie2@u.washington.edu |
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