Neurology: Student Learning Outcomes

Office of Medical Education

  1. Neurological Examination
    1. Demonstrate proficiency at performing an appropriately focused and reliable neurological examination in both the ambulatory and hospital settings including mental status, cranial nerves, motor function, sensation, reflexes, coordination, and gait.
    2. Understand how to recognize and interpret abnormal findings on the neurological exam; be able to distinguish between upper and lower motor neuron findings, lesions of the hemispheres, posterior fossa, spinal cord, nerve root/plexus, peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction, and muscle.
    3. Demonstrate understanding of how to approach and examine the patient with altered level of consciousness.
  2. Documentation
    1. Demonstrate the ability to document a history and physical and neurological examination.
  3. Neuroimaging
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of currently available brain and spinal cord imaging modalities (CT/CTA, MRI/MRA, PET, MR Spectroscopy), indications for and limitations of their use.
    2. Demonstrate ability to differentiate normal from abnormal brain imaging.
  4. Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis/Lumbar Puncture
    1. List indications for and demonstrate how to perform a lumbar puncture and how to interpret the results of spinal fluid analysis
  5. EEG
    1. Understand when EEG testing is indicated, a basic understanding of how the testing is conducted, the significance of common waveform patterns (alpha, delta, beta, theta, spike waves, sharp waves, etc.), and limitations for its use.
  6. EMG
    1. Understand when EMG testing is indicated, how the testing is performed, and limitations of use.
  7. Cerebrovascular Disorders
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of the diagnosis and management of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, stroke risk factors, including knowledge of the NIH Stroke Scale, ABCD2 score, and ICH score.
  8. Headache
    1. List the diagnostic criteria for major types of headache including migraine with and without aura, pseudotumor cerebri, temporal arteritis, cluster headache, and their appropriate treatment.
    2. Appropriately categorize headache emergencies including a differential diagnosis of "worst headache of my life" (subarachnoid
      hemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, etc.)
  9. Epilepsy
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of common seizure semiology and terminology (simple vs. complex, partial vs. generalized), common seizure syndromes and approach to the patient with first time seizure.
    2. Recall anti-epileptic medications, common side effects and contraindications.
    3. Recognize status epilepticus, its definition and management.
  10. Dementia
    1. Differentiate between major types of dementia (Alzheimer's, Lewy Body, Parkinson's and Parkinson's Plus Syndromes, prion diseases, etc.), appropriate initial workup for reversible causes, prognosis, and management.
  11. Peripheral and Neuromuscular Neurology
    1. Identify common neuromuscular disorders (Guillain Barre/AIDP, CIDP, myasthenia gravis, ALS, and peripheral neuropathies), their diagnosis and treatment.
  12. Movement Disorders
    1. Demonstrate ability to recognize common movement disorders and tremors (Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's, dystonia, ataxia, essential tremor, intention tremor, etc.) associated syndromes, their diagnosis and treatment.
  13. Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology
    1. Distinguish between relapsing and progressive forms of MS and Clinically Isolated Syndrome; Describe the McDonald Criteria for diagnosis of MS, common presenting signs and symptoms,and recognize available treatments.
  14. Medical Causes of Neurologic Dysfunction
    1. Recognize the medical causes of neurological disease including hepatic failure, malignancy, electrolyte abnormalities, etc.
  15. Neuroinfectious Diseases
    1. Compare infections of the nervous system in patients with and without HIV; recommend appropriate workup including spinal fluid analysis and imaging, emergent and long-term treatment.
    2. Identify neurological infectious which should be reported to local health agencies.
  16. Neurological Emergencies
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of the approach to common neurological emergencies including acute stroke, status epilepticus, myasthenic crisis, Guillain Barre, and acute altered mental status.
  17. Pediatric Neurology
    1. List developmental milestones in the pediatric patient.
    2. Recognize genetic neurological syndromes (Tuberous Sclerosis, etc.) their hallmark features and prognosis.
  18. Head Trauma/Concussion
    1. Discuss the definition of concussion, symptoms of post-concussive syndrome, management, and prognosis.
  19. Pain
    1. Recognize common causes of focal pain and clinical features of neuropathic pain and common neuropathic pain syndromes (Trigeminal neuralgia, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome etc.), their diagnosis and treatment.
  20. Cranial Neuropathies
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of normal cranial nerve examination and ability to recognize cranial neuropathies.
  21. Brain Death
    1. Describe brain death and how the determination is made.
  22. Dizziness
    1. Differentiate common causes of dizziness, how to distinguish causes with diagnostic testing, management and treatment of specific disorders including Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Meniere's Diseases, etc.