Neurology Clerkship

In the Neurology Clerkship at UNM in Albuquerque, you'll have the opportunity to practice neurology and gain hands-on experience alongside the state’s preeminent neurology leaders. You will thrive as you embrace core practices for successful neurologists:

• Show enthusiasm
• Be punctual
• Take good care of your patients
• Ask questions
• Read about your patients
• Start studying for the shelf board exam on day one
• Have a positive attitude

Objectives

Medical students complete various objectives in order to feel confident and prepared to see neurological complications of whatever specialty they ultimately choose to pursue, including those who choose the field of Neurology.

Objectives you'll complete include:

• Obtaining a complete and reliable history focusing on relevant facts.
• Performing a complete and reliable neurological examination tailored to the chief complaint.
• Being able to clinically localize using the history and examination.
• Developing a differential diagnosis based on the above.
• Knowing the diagnostic criteria, natural history, demographics, treatment and prognosis of the most common neurological conditions.
• Knowing the appropriate use and limitations of neurodiagnostic tests.
• Reading and preparing for the SHELF board exam and USMLE step exams.

Clerkship Curriculum

The neurology cirriculum provides you with a breadth and depth of experience. Though neurology can be intellectually challenging at times, our faculty and residents are passionate about teaching and sharing their knowledge with you. Our curriculum includes hands on teaching of the neurological exam, didactics, case-based learning and direct feedback on note writing. We also provide a wide range of resources to help you prepare for the SHELF exam. You will also learn how and when to order neurodiagnostic testing, including various neuroimaging, EEG, EMG and LP in addition to gaining a basic understanding of how to interpret these results.

Schedule

The clerkship consists of two weeks on the inpatient ward of your choosing (either general neurology, stroke, or neuro-ICU), one week on pediatric neurology consults and one week on adult consults.

Call

All students will have one short call from 4pm-7pm, during the week. You will team up with the resident on call to see patients for consultations and admissions. There is no weekend call.

Grades

Your grade in neurology will be determined by the evaluations of the residents and attending physicians with whom you interact, your SHELF exam score, patient write-up, a clinical localization quiz, professionalism score, and completion of practice questions for the SHELF.

Professionalism and Performance

We expect you to interact professionally with patients and your colleagues. We expect you to attend all scheduled activities and complete assignments on time. If you need to leave early or arrive late, please let us know. If you have a medical or family emergency, please promptly notify us and we can accommodate you.