Neurology: Student Learning Outcomes
Office of Medical Education
- Neurological Examination
- 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.
- 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.
- Demonstrate understanding of how to approach and examine the patient with altered level of consciousness.
- Documentation
- Demonstrate the ability to document a history and physical and neurological examination.
- Neuroimaging
- 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.
- Demonstrate ability to differentiate normal from abnormal brain imaging.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis/Lumbar Puncture
- List indications for and demonstrate how to perform a lumbar puncture and how to interpret the results of spinal fluid analysis
- EEG
- 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.
- EMG
- Understand when EMG testing is indicated, how the testing is performed, and limitations of use.
- Cerebrovascular Disorders
- 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.
- Headache
- 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.
- Appropriately categorize headache emergencies including a differential diagnosis of "worst headache of my life" (subarachnoid
hemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, etc.)
- Epilepsy
- 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.
- Recall anti-epileptic medications, common side effects and contraindications.
- Recognize status epilepticus, its definition and management.
- Dementia
- 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.
- Peripheral and Neuromuscular Neurology
- Identify common neuromuscular disorders (Guillain Barre/AIDP, CIDP, myasthenia gravis, ALS, and peripheral neuropathies), their diagnosis and treatment.
- Movement Disorders
- 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.
- Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology
- 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.
- Medical Causes of Neurologic Dysfunction
- Recognize the medical causes of neurological disease including hepatic failure, malignancy, electrolyte abnormalities, etc.
- Neuroinfectious Diseases
- 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.
- Identify neurological infectious which should be reported to local health agencies.
- Neurological Emergencies
- Demonstrate knowledge of the approach to common neurological emergencies including acute stroke, status epilepticus, myasthenic crisis, Guillain Barre, and acute altered mental status.
- Pediatric Neurology
- List developmental milestones in the pediatric patient.
- Recognize genetic neurological syndromes (Tuberous Sclerosis, etc.) their hallmark features and prognosis.
- Head Trauma/Concussion
- Discuss the definition of concussion, symptoms of post-concussive syndrome, management, and prognosis.
- Pain
- 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.
- Cranial Neuropathies
- Demonstrate knowledge of normal cranial nerve examination and ability to recognize cranial neuropathies.
- Brain Death
- Describe brain death and how the determination is made.
- Dizziness
- 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.