Neurology Medical Student Courses

Pre-Clinical 

Module Co-Directors: Okeanis Vaou, M.D., Kris Vogel, Ph.D.
Mind, Brain and Behavior module provides a comprehensive introduction to the normal anatomy, development, physiology and radiological features of the human nervous system and its pathologic disorders. Through active learning methods, students will practice clinical assessment of the nervous system while learning the major features of common neurological, neurosurgical, psychiatric and psychological disorders and pharmacological approach for the nature of the experience of the brain. The student will gain an appreciation for the nature of the experience of having an illness affecting the brain and mind, and a deepened compassion for patients with these illnesses.

CIRC 5005: Neurology Clinical Skills
The Clinical Skills Longitudinal module threads throughout the entire first and second-year curriculum. Using standardized and real patients, students learn medical history taking and physical examination techniques. In addition, through didactic sessions, simulations, small group sessions, and labs, students master the knowledge, communication skills, professional, and interpersonal skills necessary for fostering positive doctor-patient relationships. During the Mind, Brain and Behavior Module, faculty and community Neurologists introduce students to abnormal findings of the neurologic exam as demonstrated on Neurology patient volunteers.

Clerkship

NEUR 3005: Neurology Core Clerkship
This core clerkship is designed to give the student experience in evaluation of patients with neurologic disorders, to provide an opportunity to master the neurological exam and to enhance their knowledge of common neurological diseases. The format of the clerkship consists of three weeks on a variety of inpatient services and one week of clinics. The student will be expected to participate in the complete care of assigned inpatients spending one week each on either the General Neurology Wards at University Hospital or the AMVA Hospital, the University Hospital Stroke Wards and/or the University Hospital Neurointensive Care Unit. Some students will also spend one week on the University Hospital Neurology Consult Service, evaluating consult patients and participating in Neurology consult rounds. While on the inpatient services, the student will be required to perform a complete history and physical exam with emphasis on the neurologic findings, prepare written and verbal presentations, interpret laboratory data and begin to develop a differential diagnosis and management plan on all assigned patients. Students will receive a clinical performance evaluation by the supervising attending and residents using the SOM 3rd year medical student evaluation form.

During the clinic week, the student will participate in a variety of general neurology and specialty clinics at the MARC, VA Hospital, University Hospital, and private practice settings. Students will be required to perform an appropriately focused history and physical exams and to participate in the management plan for the patient. Preparation through reading the materials provided for each clinic will be required. Each clinic faculty will evaluate the student on their preparation and participation in that clinic.

Students will attend the MS3 didactics and workshops, including the Lumbar Puncture Clinical Skills Lab during the clerkship. Neurology Grand Rounds, morning report and selected Neurology Residency Lecture Series topics will also be attended.

Elective

NEUR 4029: Advanced Neurology Consultation Service
Students are required to perform neurological consultations either at University Hospital or Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. One student will be assigned to each hospital service. This is an advanced elective and the student will see patients independently initially, before evaluation of the patient with their attending and residents. Attending rounds with the staff neurologist will be made daily Monday-Friday. Students are required to perform appropriately focused history and physical exam, prepare written and verbal presentations, interpret laboratory data and develop a differential diagnosis and management plans on all assigned patients. Students will also attend neurology morning report, neuropathology conference, neuroradiology conference, and grand rounds. The student may participate in specialty clinics as assigned. The clinic exposure is designed to advance the knowledge and experience introduced in the Neurology Clerkship in specialty areas of neurology as directed by the students’ interest and as availability allows. Both the inpatient consultation service and the specialty clinics provide an understanding of advanced experience in the application of systems of care and the coordination of a variety of care systems toward the optimal benefit of the patient.

NEUR 4002: David Sherman Academy of Teaching Neurology
A longitudinal medical student elective, Medical teaching in Neurology, provides the foundation for learning the principles of practical clinical teaching techniques and the opportunity to create a Neurologic educational product. Teaching is a skill and this class provides students with formal training to help them excel as effective clinical teachers. The elective is longitudinal and provides 4 elective credits. There are three major objectives of this elective: (1) To gain mentored teaching experience in a variety of settings through completion of at least 10 sessions over the course of the year; (2) To complete an educational product of the student’s choice that may be incorporated into the future Neurology curriculum. This product may also meet criteria for the M.D. in Education Distinction (see below), but this is not a requirement; 3) To complete the Distinction in Medical Education Course topics through attending the presentations and/or online video and readings. Clinical teaching didactic will be completed through www.med-ed.virginia.edu/courses/resasteachers/home.cfm

The student may choose to pursue the M.D. Distinction in Medical Education using the project designed for this elective if they also meet the following requirements: 1) Develop a measurement tool to assess the effectiveness of the educational project; 2) Submit the project for publication; 3) Display the project on a poster presentation; 4) Give a capstone presentation and reflective summary to the DIME Committee and advisors. Students completing DIME will receive project feedback and support from the DIME Committee for the development of their project. The student will also have an advisory committee with up to three people. Students who wish to achieve the distinction will need to apply by December 1st of the fourth year. After the committee reviews, all projects and capstone presentations are complete, they will determine the students who have achieved distinction.

NEUR 4030: Advanced Neurology Sub Internship
The student will function as a sub-intern under the direct supervision of the Neurology resident. Considerable responsibility in the management of neurologic patients above the level of the core clerkship is provided on the inpatient ward services at the University Hospital or Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital. The student will participate in the evaluation of patients in the Emergency Department who are being considered for admission to the Neurology Ward service. The student will participate in call and work at least one weekend day each weekend as allowed by the call schedule.

NEUR 7000: Neurology Off-Campus Rotation
This course is designed for students who wish to participate in an off-campus Neurology rotation. The course requirements are set by the away site. The course director of that site will complete a student evaluation and submit to the Neurology Department for the student to receive credit. The final grade is determined by the away site.