The goal of this clerkship is to impart the knowledge and skills required in the recognition, evaluation and management of common neurologic diseases.
Objective One – Patient Evaluation
- Become competent in neurological history taking and examination
- Be able to develop a succinct assessment and plan.
History Taking
- Obtain a complete and reliable history for a patient with intact or altered level of consciousness or mental status.
- Know the importance of pertinent history from family, caregivers, witnesses, etc. such as in patients with impaired sensorium, cognition, speech, or history of seizures.
- Be able to recognize symptoms which may indicate neurologic disease.
Physical Examination
- Perform both a complete and a problem-focused neurological examination as appropriate.
- Be able to distinguish normal from abnormal findings on neurological examination.
Clinical Summary/Assessment
- Provide a clear, concise, and thorough oral and written presentation leading to an anatomical localization and differential diagnosis.
- Demonstrate an awareness of appropriate use and interpretation of common tests used in diagnosing neurologic disease.
Objective Two – Patient Management
Become familiar with the evaluation and management of common and emergent neurologic disorders.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the principles underlying a systematic approach to the management of common neurologic diseases.
- Recognize situations which may become neurologic emergencies.
- Demonstrate an ability to review and interpret the medical literature.
Objective Three – Professionalism, Interaction, and Communication
Become competent in professional interaction and communication skills
- Professionalism and multi-disciplinary interaction
- Understand the role of multidisciplinary management of neurological disorders.
- Be able to interact and communicate with other members of the patient care team as well as with patient family members.
- Communications skills
- Learn the importance of honest and compassionate communication with the patient and/or family in different situations, including end of life care discussions.
