Training Activities

ADULT NEUROPSYCHOLOGY FELLOWSHIP

Experiential training in the neuropsychological evaluation of patients with actual or suspected neurological disorders, the writing of consultative reports, and the provision of feedback to patients and referral sources is emphasized. Didactic training in the neurosciences and clinical neurology are available and will be tailored to the educational needs of the individual resident.

Clinical Neuropsychology Consultation Training
The core of training consists of using a variety of cognitive, sensorimotor, and psychological tests to evaluate patients with neurologic disorders referred from medical professionals concerned with their accurate diagnosis and care. The resident will learn to utilize a broad array of neuropsychological examination procedures that evaluate a wide spectrum of behaviors such as memory, attention, intelligence, speech and language, visuoperception, spatial thinking, executive functions, sensorimotor abilities, and personality or mood.

Evaluations will be performed on patients from the neurological, surgical, general medical, and psychiatric services. Residents will be exposed to patients with neurodegenerative conditions/dementing illnesses, cerebrovascular disorders, movement disorders, epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries and head injuries, brain neoplasms, psychiatric disturbances, developmental disorders, chemotherapy/radiation treatment effects, infectious diseases, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic medical conditions. The behavioral presentation and pathophysiology of the major neurobehavioral syndromes will be covered. Detailed training will also be given in writing consultative reports tailored to the referral source, with an emphasis on clear and concise writing, and in providing feedback to patients in a therapeutic manner that is also clear and efficient. Competence in and understanding of ethical practice, professional standards, and appreciation of cultural and individual differences and diversity are assured by exposure to these issues throughout the clinical experience.

Clinical Service Requirements
Although there are no absolute requirements, the typical resident will see patients for neuropsychological assessment 3-4 days each week. This expectation varies over the course of the postdoctoral fellowship depending upon the type of evaluation and the resident’s other commitments, such as attending formal classes, scientific meetings, or other fellowship program approved activities.

Research
Over the course of the two-year fellowship, the resident should conduct an independent research project in cooperation with faculty, with output including a manuscript suitable for publication and/or presentation suitable for presentation at a national scientific meeting.

Didactic Training
Since clinical neuropsychologists are primarily concerned with the behavioral consequences of cerebral diseases, a thorough knowledge of neuroscience and clinical neurology is a prerequisite for the independent practice of clinical neuropsychology. To acquire this body of knowledge, a series of specific formal educational activities will be attended by most residents. The program currently includes:

  1. Medical Neurosciences. This is a 15 credit hour course for medical students, offered as part of the regular 1st year medical school curriculum. The Neuropsychology resident will participate in the sections of the course that cover neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology, psychiatry, and clinical neurology. These sections are taught during the spring semester, consisting of up to 20 hours of lecture and 4 hours of laboratory work each week. Attendance at applicable lectures and labs will be coordinated in advance with the attending neuropsychologist. The resident may participate in midterm and final examination.
  2. Neurology 5000. This course examines the clinical manifestations of neurological diseases and is regularly offered to 3rd and 4th year medical students. It is taught by the Neurology and Neurosurgery faculty each weekday morning for two hours over the course of one-month, typically in the fall.
  3. Neurology Resident Neuroanatomy Course. This course is taught by Neurology faculty for all neurology residents once each year. It meets for one hour, one morning per week, for approximately 6 months. It employs Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases by Hal Blumenfeld as its textbook.
  4. Grand Rounds. Attendance at Neurology grand rounds is expected on a regular basis. Attendance at Psychiatry grand rounds is expected as possible. Other grand rounds throughout the university may also be available and can be attended as applicable to the fellow’s interests and/or as possible.

In addition to the formal coursework and lectures listed above, there are a variety of educational conferences available to neuropsychology residents that may be attended depending upon educational needs and interests, including Neuroscience Seminars sponsored by the Brain Discovery Institute or the Neuroscience PhD program through the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics and a host of regularly scheduled conferences within Neurology and associated departments (see below; schedule and location is subject to change).

Neurology and Related Conferences (schedule varies; an example is provided below)

General Neurology Conferences

 

Grand Rounds:

Thursdays: 8:00-9:00 am

Morning Report:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 7:30-8:00 am; Fridays: 8:00-8:30 am

Resident Lecture:

Mondays: 12:00-1:00 pm; Fridays: 7:00-8:00 am

M&M Conference:

2nd Thursday: 12:00-1:00 pm

Journal Club:

Last Wednesday: 5:00-6:00 pm

Professor Rounds:

Thursdays: 11:00-12:00 pm

Visiting Professors:

Thursdays: TBA

Neuroanatomy:

Wednesdays (July-December): 7:00-8:00 am

Subspecialty Conferences

 

Stroke:

4th Thursday: 12:00-1:00 pm

Neuromuscular:

1st Tuesday: 12:00-1:00 pm

Epilepsy:

1st Thursday: 12:00-1:00 pm

Neuroradiology:

Fridays: 7:00-8:00 am

Child Neurology:

Tuesdays: 1:00-2:00 pm

Other Department Conferences

 

Neuropathology (Brain Cuttings):

Wednesdays: 8:30 or 10:00 am

Neuropathology Student Lecture

TBA: October-November

Psychiatry Grand Rounds:

Thursdays: 11:30-12:30 pm

Experiential Training (excluding neuropsychological training)
Participation in activities such as neuropathology (brain cutting) conference and neurology bed rounds is also available for those residents who have not already had such experiences. Other seminars and workshops of interest (in basic neurosciences, biostatistics, clinical psychology, and psychiatry) also are regularly available to residents throughout the Augusta University campus as their schedule allows.

Supervision
Supervision will be conducted a minimum of two hours each week with the adult neuropsychologist on a one-to-one basis. Supervision initially consists of the development of an educational plan including arranging formal coursework, weekly seminars, and assigned readings. After the resident is adequately trained in test administration and is ready to begin evaluating patients, the majority of supervision is taken up with assessment, diagnostic, treatment, and consultation issues. As the resident becomes more proficient in neuropsychological assessment and consultation, supervision will be concerned with broader issues concerning research plans, ethical practice, and professional development in addition to ongoing clinical cases.